3-Day South East Ireland Tour: Blarney Castle, Cork, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough - 3 Days

You ride south towards Cork from Dublin via the lush fertile counties of Kildare, Laois and Tipperary. In the heritage town of Cahir, you make a short stop to see the ruins of its abbey and the impressive castle on a nearby island on the Suir River. Then we will proceed to Blarney, on the outskirts of Cork. You have time to visit the castle here, explore the woodland walks and magical Rock Close, and visit the village of Blarney itself-a great spot for lunch and a little shopping. There may also be the opportunity to kiss the iconic Blarney Stone, also though there may be a very long queue in the peak season!

Later, we drive to the charming village of Midleton, home to the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, where you can join one of the distillery tours, learn about the distillery’s rich history, and hear the stories of the people who made Jameson one of the favorite whiskeys in Ireland.

You will be exploring the stunning coastline of West Cork in the afternoon, with its historic villages, beautiful beaches, inlets and small coves. In the fishing village of Kinsale, you can end the day-your overnight rest. The city is popular for its cuisine and the narrow streets filled with vibrant traditional pubs and restaurants provide a free evening to explore.

Today, beginning with the historic port of Cobh-the key departure point for Irish emigration through the 19th and 20th centuries and the last port of call of the Titanic on its ill-fated maiden voyage, some of the highlights of the South East are spent exploring. From here, along what is known as the Copper Coast-a UNESCO Geopark with stunning scenery and a fascinating past-you travel east towards Waterford.

Before arriving in Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, built by the Vikings in the 9th Century, you can make a stop in one of the coastal towns for lunch. You can visit the famous Waterford Crystal factory here, or maybe one of the great museums, or just explore the Viking Triangle on foot yourself. You leave Waterford in the late afternoon and head north to Kilkenny, a lively town with a stunning castle and park, riverside walks, the National Craft Centre, and plenty of restaurants and pubs. Voted as the friendliest town in Ireland, this will be your overnight stop.

Before you leave Kilkenny for the Wicklow Mountains, you have a few hours free to explore the city center. This region features some of the highest peaks and most spectacular valleys in Ireland. The mountains are principally made of granite and glaciers have carved out the deep valleys. Around Glendalough (Valley of the Lakes), one of the most spectacular areas is where you have the option of taking one of the beautiful walking trails or exploring the ruins of a monastery with its famous round tower from the 6th century. After a few hours, the last part of the tour starts here, heading through the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park and crossing the famous Sally Gap before descending back to Dublin for a short distance.