Discover new experiences in the South of Ireland

 

Activity 

Wells House and Gardens - A walk through time

Location: Ballyedmond, Gorey, Co. Wexford Y25 CF96
Duration: 1.5 hours

Visit the 450-acre Wells Estate, owned by Uli and Sabine Rosler who also run a working farm on the grounds. Take a walk through the stunning gardens and discover the 400-year-old history of this 17th century house by taking a guided tour. Uncover the everyday lives of the wealthy and powerful families who lived in the estate and their famed architect Daniel Robertson. This tour provides you with a unique insight into the life of previous generations all the way up to the current owners of Wells House and Gardens. 

Walk 

Curracloe beach

Location: Coolrainey, Curracloe, Co. Wexford, Y21 PD60
Duration: 40 mins

Curracloe's white sandy beach stretches from Raven Point to Ballyconigar near Blackwater and is a stunning stretch of the Irish coastline. It is a particularly safe area for bathing and received the International Blue Flag award. The golden strand is accompanied by hilly sand dunes where various plants bloom in spring and summer. The opening scenes of 'Saving Private Ryan' were filmed on the beach by Hollywood director Stephen Spielberg, with many Wexford locals joining the cast as supporting extras. More recently, scenes from the 2015 film Brooklyn, staring Saoirse Ronan, were filmed here. With three main entrances and ample parking, Curracloe beach is the ideal spot to relax and take in the outdoors.

Lunch

Kelly’s Café, Drinagh

Activity 

Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens - Combination ticket

Location: Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Y35 HP22
Duration: 2.5 hours

Get to know this magical 19th century fairytale, neo-gothic castle from diverse perspectives. This multi-faceted adventure includes: a guided visit of the castle along with stories of the families who lived here; a walk through the very rare servants’ tunnel which at 86 metres long is believed to be the longest in Ireland; and an exploration of the estate’s 120-acre parkland which boasts ornamental gardens, three lakes and woodlands which have become a haven for wildlife including waterfowl and otters. Optional: Tour of the museum on site with its vast collection of rural and agricultural collectables.

Dinner

Reed Restaurant @ Ferrycarraig Hotel / Oyster Lane @ The Talbot Hotel 

Accommodation suggestions

Maldron Hotel 3* / Ferrycarraig Hotel 4*

The Captains Table @ Dunbrody Famine Ship

Activity  

Dunbrody Famine Ship

Location: New Ross, Co. Wexford, Y34 A786
Duration: 1 hour 

Visitors to the Norman town of New Ross will immediately be drawn to the impressive sight of the masts of the Dunbrody Famine Ship, which towers over the quayside. The replica emigrant ship is moored on the River Barrow. Visitors are offered a fully interactive 1 hour guided tour, partly experienced through re-enactments by costumed actors. As visitors board the ship, they assume the persona of a Famine Emigrant bound for New York where they will experience the sights, smells and sounds of a tall ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean and listen to the personal stories of fellow passengers. 

Free time 

Arrive Waterford City 

During your leisure time in Waterford City, you might wish to take a walk and explore many of the large-scale mural artworks along Waterford Walls. Since its inception in 2015, Waterford Walls has welcomed over 200 artists to paint in Waterford City.

Dinner 

Everett’s / The Reg

Accommodation suggestions

Dooley’s Hotel 3* / Granville Hotel 4*

Location: Lismore, Co. Waterford, P51 TP26 
Duration: 1 hour

Don a virtual reality headset to be transported into the world of Lismore Castle’s past. You’ll meet the cast of characters who shaped the castle and the story of this Waterford town including Fred Astaire, Sir Walter Raleigh, and John F. Kennedy. 

Lunch 

Aherne’s Seafood Restaurant, Youghal

Walk and explore

Youghal Clock Gate tower

Location: 85 North Main Street, Youghal, Co. Cork, P36 EH56
Duration: 1 hour

Explore the most visible landmark in the centre of Youghal Main Street. The Clock Gate Tower is 24 meters high, spanning four storeys and is inextricably linked with the surrounding landscape and community across more than 700 years of history.  Learn about the Clock Gate Tower’s diverse past as a local time keeper, gaol and centre of trade. 

Youghal Boardwalk

Location: Starting from Front Strand Beach Front Strand, Youghal, Co. Cork.
Duration: 20 mins 

Take a short stroll along the Youghal Eco-Boardwalk, a 400-metre hardwood panelled beach walk-way. Stretching from Front Strand Beach to Claycastle Blue Flag Beach, the Youghal boardwalk is the perfect spot for a stroll it unwind & take in the fresh sea air. 

Depart Claycastle Bay Beach

Activity 

Jameson Distillery, Middleton - Jameson Experience Tour

Location: Old Midleton Distillery, Distillery Walk, Midleton, Co. Cork, P25 Y394
Duration: 75 mins 

Enjoy what the Jameson Distillery has to offer with a fully guided tour around the original Midleton Distillery. The tour will bring to life the stories of Jameson's rich heritage. You'll learn about the hard-working people and field-to-glass processes responsible for the whiskey that bears John Jameson's name. 

Arrive Cork City

Float down the majestic river at Trim’s and explore ancient history as the raft follows the path of Ireland’s ancestors and discover the famous movies that have been made here, including Mel Gibson’s 'Braveheart'. 

Dinner

Paradiso

Or take your pick from a variety of restaurants on Princes Street, Cork’s leading alfresco dining street. 

Accommodation suggestions  

Montenotte Hotel 4*

Spike Island

Location: Kennedy pier, Cobh, Cork, P24 E446
Duration: 3.5 hours 

Visit Ireland’s historic island with a trip to Spike Island Cork. While taking the short 10-minute ferry from scenic Cobh, enjoy a guided tour with a professional Irish storyteller. The guides will relay a 1300 year history while you pass by quaint island homes, surrounded by stunning harbour views. On arrival to the fortress, you can self-guide a dozen museums and exhibitions using your free map and downloadable APP. Sit in the original famine era prison cells, scale authentic military fortifications and discover Ireland’s past from immersive and interactive displays. 

Lunch 

Seasalt café

Walk and explore

Nano Nagle Place

Location: 45 Doughlas Street, Cork City, T12 VRC8
Duration: 1 hour 

Nano Nagle Place, an unexpected oasis in the centre of bustling Cork city, where an absorbing new museum celebrates 18th century Cork woman, Nano Nagle. Her vision of empowerment through education and community inclusion continues to change the lives of many in Ireland and beyond today. 

Fitzgeralds Park & Cork Public Museum

Location: Fitzgerald’s Park, Mardyke, Co. Cork.
Duration: 1 hour 

Take some time out and wander around this 18-acre park, an oasis of calm just a short distance from Cork city centre. With tree lined avenues, rose garden, statues and sculptures along with a large central fountain, it’s the perfect place to unwind. The park is also home to the Cork Public Museum, which is free entry. The museum houses memorabilia such as silver and ceramics connected with Cork’s civic life. There is also a rich representation of the medieval and archaeological history of Cork to explore. 

Dinner 

Market Lane / Cask / Greens

Activity 

Franciscan Well Brewery Tour & Tastings

Location: 14b North Mall, Sunday’s Well, Cork, T23 RHW2
Duration: 1 hour

Seize your opportunity to engage in the ultimate craft beer experience through tours and tastings, bringing you on a journey from the rebellious monks of the Old Franciscan Monastery, right up until the present day. According to legend, water from this Franciscan Well had miraculous, curative properties. People travelled from all over Ireland to drink it. Gain an understanding as to how local ingredients impact the flavours of beers and how to judge diverse beers for their taste and quality. Located in the heart of Cork City, The Franciscan Well Brew Pub, has a deep-rooted passion for brewing and distilling.

Accommodation suggestion

Montenotte Hotel 4*

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