Top Things to do in Ireland’s Ancient East
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What to do and see in Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Ancient East: The Best Historic Walking Areas
Discover the best top things to do in Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland including Sheep's Head Peninsula, Kilkenny Famine Experience, Franciscan Friary, Dalton House, Wicklow Mountains National Park, Loughcrew Cairns, Carrigfadda Hill Walk, Barnane Walk, Ballycotton Cliff Walk, Duncannon Fort.
Restaurants in Ireland’s Ancient East
1. Sheep's Head Peninsula
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 509 reviews
Reviewed By 223aineb
This was a walkers paradise. It was worth the long drive on the narrow road to the end of the peninsula. Some short walks as well as more challenging for the avid walker.
2. Kilkenny Famine Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By gmrgill
Would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting Kilkenny! It starts inside the shopping centre, it's free but you need to either bring your own earbuds or pay €2 per person for a disposable pair. You're given a mini tablet and told to follow numbered signs around the area, then select the corresponding number on the touchscreen to listen to the audio/watch the video describing the history of that place. It tells the story of two young boys who arrived at the workhouse which once stood where the shopping centre is now located. The tour takes about 45 minutes and ends in the lovely famine memorial garden outside the centre. Only available in English but very accessible.
3. Franciscan Friary
4. Dalton House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
5. Wicklow Mountains National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,245 reviews
Reviewed By aralb2018 - Australia, null
The Wicklow Mountains National Park saw me return four times from all sides of the Ireland coastline. I loved the place so much that I cancelled non-refundable hotel bookings so I could stay at Glendalough Hotel just to be closer. The Wicklow Mountains has something for everyone: history; cinema references (the PS I Love You bridge) amongst many more; scenery for the photographer; hiking and silence for those craving it. My next trip to Ireland will be based in and around the Wicklow Mountains for a minimum of a week. This place is so far, one of the more beautiful places I've ventured.
6. Loughcrew Cairns
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 302 reviews
Loughcrew Cairns are one of Meaths best kept secerts.The monumnets date back to 3.500BC and loughcrew tombs offer guided tours throughout these historic hills.
Reviewed By daviddJ3376XE
Loughcrew is a series of tombs spread across several hills near Oldcastle in Meath. The tombs date from the Neolithic period and are probably in or around 5300 years old. The largest of these tombs is Cairn T, on the hill of Carnbane East. There is a car park and a little walk over the fields to the top of the hill brings you to cairns. The views are wonderful, as this is the highest point in County Meath and on a clear day you can see Slieve Gullion and other mountains to the north. Most of the tombs only remain as stone circles, but Cairn T has an intact central chamber, which is fenced off. However, even though technically you can get a key, the passageway is barred by a steel support after about 2 metres, so there is no real point in getting the key. The rock carvings can be partly viewed through the iron doorway anyway. A nearby tomb is completely open and also has some impressive rock carvings. The site boasts some amazing views, but it is not wheelchair friendly, and, as one is walking over grass and sheep fields, some form of waterproof footwear is advisable.
7. Carrigfadda Hill Walk
8. Barnane Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Theeye01
Barnane is a lovely local amenity in fermoy. Grand for a short stroll by the river or you can do a circuit which takes around an hour and a quarter or so. You can head west up the quay in Fermoy and walk as far as you wish with the lovely Blackwater river on your right or you can head out Duntaheen Rd and just before Glenabo bridge hop over the gap in the wall on the right just before the bend before the bridge and follow the path through the woods initially and then the fields with the river on your left which will bring you back into Fermoy. Not for the faint hearted as a bit downhill from Glenabo or uphill if taking the opposite route up from the quay in Fermoy and a stick is advised to beat back the briars and nettles as its a bit narrow for a spell. Nice to see the peaceful Blackwater meander towards Fermoy, take in the fresh air, green fields and occasional heron, buzzard or kingfisher on the lookout for their supper. It's worth mentioning that during the fine weather months, there is a wheelchair accessible motor boat suitable for 6/7 people which goes from the Fermoy end of Barnane up the river to just beyond Ml Flatley's Castlehyde Mansion. The ancestral home of Ireland first president Douglas Hyde. Very reasonable and enjoyable. By boat or on foot, this is a great amenity and worth a look for those who enjoy the great outdoors.
9. Ballycotton Cliff Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 544 reviews
Lovely walk suitable for all ages. (Children must be accompanied and not suitable for buggies)
Reviewed By 942bob - Montebello, United States
I was working in Cork City all week, and desperately needed the quiet and solitude of this place. My only suggestion is that when you arrive, don't park in the little village like I did. Keep on driving until the road stops. Don't even think of parking until you see a very large lifeboat on display. When you finish your walk, there's a nice little hotel restaurant where I had a pint of beer and a nice lunch.
10. Duncannon Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 319 reviews
The Tour – Reopening for guided tours June 2018 Duncannon Fort is an impressive presentation of a bastioned fortress perched on the side of the stunning Hook Peninsula, County Wexford, part of Ireland’s Ancient East. This historic structure has gathered countless intriguing and awe inspiring stories over its 450 year history and holds one of the best vantage points to take in the beautiful Waterford Estuary from. Duncannon Fort closed for the season on Sunday 28th August 2016. Thank you for all the support this season. *Hook Tourism is a not for profit organisation. All funds raised contribute to providing these guided tours and to the development of tourism on the Hook Peninsula.
Reviewed By chrisjorkav - Enniscorthy, Ireland
Great tour of the Fort, Ann was an amazing guide with great stories relating to centuries of Historic events at the Fort, thoroughly enjoyed by all in our group raging in age from 13 to 74 years!!
