• Single room supplement £60
• Obligatory holiday insurance
The coastal scenery in this corner of Ireland - Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford - may not be quite as dramatic as it is on the rugged western shores, but its headlands, beaches, bays and cliffs provide great variety. Together with the two neighbouring inland counties of Carlow and Kilkenny, the south-east bears witness to over a thousand years of fascinating history.
The four star Talbot Hotel, on the water’s edge, in the heart of Wexford town, has proved an excellent base from which to explore the varied attractions of all five counties.
Day 1 Sunday
We leave Belfast at 9.00am and travel south, stopping around mid-day at Powerscourt, at the gateway to Wicklow, the “Garden County”. In the afternoon we call at the valley of the two lakes, Glendalough, perhaps the most picturesque of Wicklow’s Glens, with its famous round tower and ancient monastic sites.
We continue through the Vale of Avoca before entering Co. Wexford and finally, at the mouth of the river Slaney, Wexford town and our hotel for next four nights.
The impressive Victorian Johnstown Castle, incorporating an older 13th Century Norman remains, is our first stop this morning. Located just outside the town, today it also houses the Irish Agricultural Museum, offering a trip down memory lane.
Later we continue south, as far as Hook Head, to see one of Ireland’s most famous lighthouses.
Day 3 - Tuesday
We leave the coast and the Slaney Valley this morning and travel via New Ross, Jerpoint Abbey and Bennettsbridge (home of Nicholas Mosse Pottery) to the historic city of Kilkenny. We visit the castle and have time to investigate the famous craft centre before returning to Wexford.
Day 4 - Wednesday
After a relaxing morning in Wexford we travel west to spend the afternoon in neighbouring Waterford. An intriguing walking tour and a visit to “Waterford Treasure” at the Granary has been arranged.
Day 5 - Thursday
Following a leisurely morning with a relaxing breakfast we commence our return journey along the valley of the Slaney. We travel through Enniscorthy, stopping at lunch time in Carlow town, before joining the new road system northwards, by-passing Dublin, Drogheda and Dundalk. We arrive back at the Europa Buscentre around 6.00pm.
