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From Dublin: 5-Day Tour of Ireland's South-East
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From €486 per person
Five days is the right amount of time to really get to know the south-east of Ireland - a corner that most visitors rush through on their way somewhere else, and that rewards anyone who slows down. Ancient Celtic forts, medieval abbeys, wild Atlantic headlands, whiskey distilleries, and one of the most colourful harbour towns in the country are all waiting for you here.
Day One gets things off to a dramatic start at the Rock of Dunamase in County Laois. This Celtic fort has a history stretching back to early Christian settlements, and it was raided by Vikings in 842 - so you’re standing on seriously old ground. From there you head south to Cashel and the Rock of Cashel, a striking collection of medieval buildings perched on a limestone outcrop. Nearby Hore Abbey is the remnants of Ireland’s last medieval Cistercian monastery, worth a quiet wander. The afternoon brings you to Blarney Castle for woodland walks and the famous stone, before you finish the day in Kinsale - a fishing village of narrow lanes, colourful houses, and the kind of pubs where you’ll want to linger.
Day Two opens with a photo stop at the Old Head of Kinsale, then heads west to the Drombeg Stone Circle (known locally as the Druid’s Altar) and a Stone Age megalithic tomb. You’ll continue out to Mizen Head, the south-westerly tip of the Wild Atlantic Way, where you can cross the iconic bridge to the Signal Station. The day ends in Bantry, with time to explore Bantry House and Gardens and stroll along the harbour.
Day Three covers Charles Fort, a well-preserved star-shaped military fortification, before taking you to Midleton Distillery in Cork - formerly Jameson - for a proper tour. You’ll have free time in the historic port town of Cobh, then travel to Waterford (Ireland’s oldest city) along a scenic coastal route. Optional stops along the way include Bunmahon Beach and the Tankardstown Copper Mine.
Day Four brings Jerpoint Abbey in County Kilkenny, a remarkable Cistercian site that tends to stop people in their tracks - the carved stonework alone is worth a good long look. The tour continues through more of the south-east’s historic landscape at a relaxed pace.
Day Five heads back towards Dublin with a final stop at Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains. This early medieval monastic settlement sits in a glacial valley of real beauty, and it’s a genuinely peaceful way to round off five days on the road before returning to the capital.
The Rock of Cashel is best in the morning. Tour buses arrive mid-morning, so getting there early means you might have the whole complex almost to yourself. The views back over the Tipperary plain are worth the trip even if you never go inside.
Kinsale is a serious food town and has been for decades. If you’ve got an appetite on Day One, the town punches well above its size for restaurant quality. A bowl of chowder at a harbour-side spot is the right way to end the first evening.
At Mizen Head, don’t rush the bridge crossing. The Signal Station on the far side has its own exhibition on the history of the headland, and the views from the cliffs are some of the most dramatic on the whole Wild Atlantic Way. Give yourself more time than you think you need.
Cobh (pronounced “Cove”) is one of those Irish place names that catches people out. The town has a quieter, slightly melancholy character that comes from its history as the last port of call for Titanic and a major point of emigration during the Famine years. The Queenstown Story exhibition in the old railway station gives you the full picture.
Glendalough on Day Five is one of those places that changes depending on the weather. On a grey day it’s atmospheric and a bit eerie. On a clear day it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the country. Either way, it’s a proper send-off for the trip.