6 Day Tour of Ireland's Ancient East
Highlights
- Explore amazing Irish cities, such as medieval Kilkenny and Viking Waterford.
- Soak up stunning scenery on the Hook Peninsula, in Wicklow Mountains National Park and along the Copper Coast.
- Delve into the rich and evocative history of Ireland at Glendalough, Cahir Castle, and Blarney Castle Gardens.
- Take an Irish whiskey tasting tour at the historic Jameson Distillery.
- Visit Cobh — Condé Nast Traveler called it one of Europe's most beautiful small towns in 2019!
Overview
Explore the Ancient East on this relaxing 6 day tour of Ireland. Discover Viking history, Norman castles and spectacular scenery while still enjoying plenty of free time to explore this amazing country for yourself. Travel from the wilderness of the Wicklow Mountains National Park to the mystique of medieval Kilkenny city.
This tour is ideal for seniors, young couples and families who want a guided tour of Ireland that's easy-going. For something more active, check out our Vagabond Ireland Tours. However, just because we’re not hiking and cycling, it doesn’t mean we can’t have an amazing Ireland vacation; we just want to take our time a little – to stop and take in all the beauty.
Time to look east! At a leisurely pace, you will explore the amazing history and culture in Ireland’s ancient cities, castles, and gardens. You’ll taste Irish food, sip our whiskey, and take part in our enigmatic culture.
- Day 1 - EXPLORE ANCIENT GLENDALOUGH, WICKLOW MOUNTAINS, & KILKENNY
Begin your 6 day Ireland itinerary at Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin at 8.10am. Climb aboard your comfortable Mercedes tour vehicle, bound for Kilkenny.
Explore the 6th century monastery of Glendalough.
Cross the wilderness of Wicklow Mountains National Park.
Discover the Bronze Age Rathgall Hill fort – one of Ireland’s largest ringforts.
Explore the charms of historic Kilkenny.
Your accommodation tonight is at the centrally located Pembroke Hotel.The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.
- Day 2 - MEDIEVAL KILKENNY & IRISH CRAFT TOURS
Always happy to stop and take in the beauty of the Irish countryside, your VagaGuide will lead your tour from medieval Kilkenny to Viking Waterford.
Enjoy some free time in Kilkenny to explore craft studios, cafés and numerous quaint independent shops.
Take a guided craft beer tour at Smithwick's (Tour Option - €16 per person, €14 seniors) or a self-guided cathedral tour at St. Canice's (Tour Option - €7 per person).
Enjoy a charismatic guided tour of the historic ruins at Jerpoint Park.
Step on-board the Dunbrody Famine Ship; an exact replica of a 19th century Irish emigrant vessel.
Unwind at Dunbrody Country House Hotel, located on the dramatic Hook Peninsula in Wexford.The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.
- Day 3 - FREE TIME TO EXPLORE WEXFORD
Freedom abound on day three, with lots of time to explore Wexford – one of the jewels of Ireland's Ancient East.
Relax at your hotel in Wexford. This is your time and you’re free to craft this part of your Ireland itinerary to suit your desires.
If history is at the top of your to-do list, take a guided tour of the world's oldest operational lighthouse at Hook Head.
Enjoy a guided tour of Norman-built 13th century Tintern Abbey.
Visit Fethard-on-Sea, a quaint and characterful Irish fishing village.
Your accommodation is once again at Dunbrody Country House Hotel.The average driving time today is 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Day 4 - WATERFORD, VIKING MUSEUM, & COPPER COAST
On day 4 of this 6 day Ireland tour, you’ll take a scenic route from Waterford to Ballycotton, a quaint coastal village in East Cork.
Discover the delights of Waterford – Ireland's oldest city, established by Vikings in the 10th century.
Admire the pinnacle of Irish crafting excellence with a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal (Tour Option - €14 per person).
Meet the Norsemen at the Viking Museum, housed in an 800-year-old tower (Tour Option - €5 per person, €4 seniors). There’s so much more to Ireland’s history than you might think!
Drift along Ireland’s gorgeous Copper Coast with charming villages, secluded coves and dramatic sea stacks. These are seaside views you will remember for the rest of your life.
Gaze out across the Celtic Sea from your lodging at the Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton.The average driving time today is 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Day 5 - IRISH WHISKEY TOUR AT THE JAMESON WHISKEY DISTILLERY
The fifth day of your 6 day Ireland itinerary is a countryside amble along the coast of Cork.
Taste authentic Irish whiskey on a guided tour of the restored 18th century Jameson Whiskey Distillery.
Cobh is an optional port of call for everyone on the tour; this historic maritime town is located on an island in Cork Harbour. It doesn’t get more idyllic!
Choose from a menu of amazing restaurants and colourful streets tonight in Kinsale, Ireland's gourmet capital.
Your accommodation is at either the Blue Haven Hotel Kinsale or Actons Hotel in Kinsale.The average driving time today is 3 hours.
- Day 6 - KISS THE BLARNEY STONE & ROCK OF CASHEL
Turning homeward, your tour takes in some amazing sights on the journey from Cork back to Dublin.
Kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the gift of the gab – the Irish ability to flatter and speak with great eloquence.
Imbued with your new conversational powers, explore the lush gardens at Blarney Castle (Tour Option - €18 per person).
If you prefer, take in colourful stalls and meet friendly locals at the English Market in Cork city. As usual, we try to help our Driftwood guests choose various parts of the tour themselves.
Admire Celtic crosses and ruined cathedrals at medieval Rock of Cashel.
Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin is the final stop, and we arrived there between 5-6pm.The average driving time today is 4 hours.
- Tours as mentioned in the itinerary
- A journey of discovery in a super-comfy, slick Mercedes mini-coach
- 5 nights accommodation, 5 delicious and filling hot Irish breakfasts
- Entrance into Jerpoint Park to see history unearthed and hear amazing stories
- Entrance onto the Dunbrody Famine Ship, an exact reproduction of an 1840s emigrant vessel
- A guided tour of the Jameson Distillery, the undisputed home of Irish whiskey
- Entrance into 13th century Tintern Abbe
- Most daily activities and visits (see Tour Options below for extras)
- The services of a highly-trained and professional VagaGuide tour guide
- Single Supplement Extra
- Personal Expenses