We travel from Belfast directly to Kildare, with comfort stops along the way. A light lunch awaits us at the restaurant at the world famous National Stud. We spend time looking at some of the most expensive bloodstock in the world, visiting the fascinating Japanese Gardens and the more recent addition, Saint Fiachra’s Garden - a hermitage in a landscape inspired by the 6th & 7th Century monastic movement. We then proceed to Kilkenny.

This morning we have a walking tour of Kilkenny - one of Ireland’s oldest cities. We visit the Castle with time to call at the famous Craft Centre, formerly the castle stables.

In the afternoon we drive to Bennettsbridge, a pretty town just 6 miles away, where we visit the Nicholas Mosse Pottery. Our return journey takes us past Jerpoint Abbey on a pleasant drive through Inistioge, and Graiguenamanagh, along the course of the river Barrow and back to Kilkenny.

After a relaxing breakfast we leave Kilkenny in mid-morning and travel to Waterford, where we visit 'Waterford Treasures', at the Granary by the river. This dramatic visitor centre celebrates the rich character and history of the city from its Viking beginnings. The centre also has a restaurant.

Of course, no journey to Waterford is complete without a visit to the Waterford Crystal factory.

A tour of Ireland’s ‘South Riding’ area today taking us to the Galtee Mountains. We travel via Clonmel, Cahir through the Glen of Aherlow and on to Cashel.

We leave Kilkenny immediately after breakfast this morning and travel up to Dublin. The coach lets you off near Trinity College at the Kilkenny Centre - (associated with the craft centre in Kilkenny) and you have a few hours free to explore or shop before the final leg of our tour back to Belfast.