South East Ireland Tourism
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Ireland's Historic Region
Below is a sample of the various historical treasures which can be explored during a visit to the South East of Ireland.
Now fully restored to its former glory, as are its beautiful public gardens, Kilkenny Castle has stood guard over the lovely city of Kilkenny for over 900 years. Kilkenny is also known for atmospheric traditional pubs and fabulous restaurants, as well as for some of Ireland’s finest craft producers. Most of these can be found at the world famous Kilkenny Design Centre, housed in the old castle stables.
County Kilkenny is also home to one of Ireland’s finest monastic settlements, Jerpoint Abbey and the magical Dunmore Cave, whose underground chambers were formed over millions of years. You can also explore massive caverns at one of Europe’s most famous showcaves, Mitchelstown Cave in Tipperary.
There’s a mystical aura around the Rock Of Cashel in Tipperary, a spectacular settlement of medieval buildings, including a 12th century round tower, 13th century Gothic cathedral and 15th century castle. The Brú Ború Cultural Centre, adjoining it, offers a folk theatre, genealogy suite and underground theatre and an exhibition telling the story of Irish song and dance. Nearby, the Cashel Folk Village, a collection of thatched buildings recreates traditional Irish village life.
Castle Cahir, imposingly situated on a rocky island on the river Suir in Tipperary, is one of Ireland’s largest and best preserved castles, with an impressive keep, tower and much of its defensive structure still intact. In Carlow, fascinating Huntingdon Castle and Gardens, rebuilt in 1625, boasts an ancient vine in its conservatory and a famous avenue of yew trees in its beautiful gardens. In Tipperary, famous Dungarvan Castle, an Anglo-Norman fortification, was built by King John in the 12th century.
Discover a thousand years of the history of Ireland’s oldest city at the Waterford Treasures Museum at the Granary, a treasure trail of rare and beautiful artefacts revealed by the latest in interactive technology. Two cathedrals, national monuments, rogues and rascals – enjoy a wildly entertaining account of the city’s history in the company of a master storyteller in one of the award-winning Walking Tours of Waterford. While in the city, watch the world famous Waterfront Crystal being created before your eyes and view the world’s largest display of Waterford Crystal at their Visitor’s Centre.
Children will love the magical train journey through the beautiful scenery of the Suir Valley on the Waterford and Suir Valley Railway.
Follow the epic story of five generations of Kennedy’s at the Ancestral Home of JF. Kennedy in Wexford. You can still see the original farmyard of the President’s Great Grandfather. The John F Kennedy Arboterum in Wexford, dedicated to the memory of the late President, has over 4,000 individual species of trees from around the world. Follow the footsteps of the famine period emigrants on the Dunbrody Famine Ship in Wexford, a full scale reconstruction of a 19th famine ship. Learn the heroic tale of the 1798 rebellion in Ireland at the interactive displays at the award-winning National 1798 Visitor Centre in Wexford. Lismore Heritage Centre in Co Waterford, tells the fascinating story of the town’s history from its Celtic origins onwards. Part of that story is 17th century Lismore Castle, with its fabulous gardens, including the Yew Walk where Edmund Spenser is said to have written the ‘Faerie Queen.’
13th century Hook Lighthouse in Wexford is the oldest working lighthouse in Northern Europe and now has a craft shop and restaurant.
One of Ireland’s finest gardens, Altamont Gardens in Carlow, were first laid down 200 years ago and include many rare shrubs and trees and the dramatic Ice Age Glen, overlooking the Slaney river. Overlooking the River Nore in Kilkenny, is Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum in the lovely village of Inistioge, now being restored to its former status as one if the great gardens of Ireland.
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Now fully restored to its former glory, as are its beautiful public gardens, Kilkenny Castle has stood guard over the lovely city of Kilkenny for over 900 years. Kilkenny is also known for atmospheric traditional pubs and fabulous restaurants, as well as for some of Ireland’s finest craft producers. Most of these can be found at the world famous Kilkenny Design Centre, housed in the old castle stables.
County Kilkenny is also home to one of Ireland’s finest monastic settlements, Jerpoint Abbey and the magical Dunmore Cave, whose underground chambers were formed over millions of years. You can also explore massive caverns at one of Europe’s most famous showcaves, Mitchelstown Cave in Tipperary.
There’s a mystical aura around the Rock Of Cashel in Tipperary, a spectacular settlement of medieval buildings, including a 12th century round tower, 13th century Gothic cathedral and 15th century castle. The Brú Ború Cultural Centre, adjoining it, offers a folk theatre, genealogy suite and underground theatre and an exhibition telling the story of Irish song and dance. Nearby, the Cashel Folk Village, a collection of thatched buildings recreates traditional Irish village life.
Castle Cahir, imposingly situated on a rocky island on the river Suir in Tipperary, is one of Ireland’s largest and best preserved castles, with an impressive keep, tower and much of its defensive structure still intact. In Carlow, fascinating Huntingdon Castle and Gardens, rebuilt in 1625, boasts an ancient vine in its conservatory and a famous avenue of yew trees in its beautiful gardens. In Tipperary, famous Dungarvan Castle, an Anglo-Norman fortification, was built by King John in the 12th century.
Discover a thousand years of the history of Ireland’s oldest city at the Waterford Treasures Museum at the Granary, a treasure trail of rare and beautiful artefacts revealed by the latest in interactive technology. Two cathedrals, national monuments, rogues and rascals – enjoy a wildly entertaining account of the city’s history in the company of a master storyteller in one of the award-winning Walking Tours of Waterford. While in the city, watch the world famous Waterfront Crystal being created before your eyes and view the world’s largest display of Waterford Crystal at their Visitor’s Centre.
Children will love the magical train journey through the beautiful scenery of the Suir Valley on the Waterford and Suir Valley Railway.
Follow the epic story of five generations of Kennedy’s at the Ancestral Home of JF. Kennedy in Wexford. You can still see the original farmyard of the President’s Great Grandfather. The John F Kennedy Arboterum in Wexford, dedicated to the memory of the late President, has over 4,000 individual species of trees from around the world. Follow the footsteps of the famine period emigrants on the Dunbrody Famine Ship in Wexford, a full scale reconstruction of a 19th famine ship. Learn the heroic tale of the 1798 rebellion in Ireland at the interactive displays at the award-winning National 1798 Visitor Centre in Wexford. Lismore Heritage Centre in Co Waterford, tells the fascinating story of the town’s history from its Celtic origins onwards. Part of that story is 17th century Lismore Castle, with its fabulous gardens, including the Yew Walk where Edmund Spenser is said to have written the ‘Faerie Queen.’
13th century Hook Lighthouse in Wexford is the oldest working lighthouse in Northern Europe and now has a craft shop and restaurant.
One of Ireland’s finest gardens, Altamont Gardens in Carlow, were first laid down 200 years ago and include many rare shrubs and trees and the dramatic Ice Age Glen, overlooking the Slaney river. Overlooking the River Nore in Kilkenny, is Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum in the lovely village of Inistioge, now being restored to its former status as one if the great gardens of Ireland.
<< Return to The Region page
