Kilkenny Medieval Mile & Castle
Ireland's best-preserved medieval city — Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower, the Medieval Mile Museum, and 800 years of history within the ancient walls.
Ireland's Ancient East Tour
Five thousand years of history in Counties Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow — medieval castles, Viking cities, monastic ruins, and the rolling countryside of Ireland's Ancient East.
- Group size16 – 32 guests
- Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
- From$3,100
About this tour
Five thousand years of history in Counties Kilkenny.
Come to Ireland and discover new places in undiscovered, uncrowded, safe, unspoiled Ireland's Ancient East. The world-renowned Lonely Planet travel guide ranks Ireland on its 'Best in Travel' list and cites the Ancient East as a new highlight.
Based in Kilkenny for seven nights, this small-group tour immerses you in five counties of history — from the Rock of Cashel's Romanesque cathedral to Waterford's Viking Triangle, Glendalough's 6th-century monastery, and the JFK ancestral homestead in County Wexford.
What's included
Tour highlights
The Rock of Cashel
The iconic limestone outcropping crowned with a 12th-century cathedral, round tower, Celtic crosses, and the oldest Romanesque wall paintings in Ireland. Brian Boru was crowned High King here in 990.
Waterford's Viking Triangle
Reginald's Tower and the Waterford Treasures museums chart 1,100 years of history, followed by the guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal, founded in 1783.
Glendalough & the Wicklow Mountains
St. Kevin's 6th-century monastic city in the Valley of the Two Lakes — round tower, cathedral, high crosses, and the serene Wicklow Mountains landscape.
JFK Homestead & the Dunbrody Famine Ship
Visit the ancestral home of President Kennedy's great-grandfather in County Wexford — still farmed by his descendants today — and The Dunbrody Famine Ship and Irish Emigrant Experience, a full-scale reconstruction docked in New Ross.
Whiskey Distillery or Craft Brewery Tasting
Round out your Wexford day with a guided tasting tour of a local Irish whiskey distillery or craft beer brewery.
Day by day
Your itinerary
- 1Day 1
Welcome to Ireland's Ancient East!
Arrive at Shannon Airport and travel through the midlands to Kilkenny, stopping to visit the Rock of Cashel — fortress, cathedral, and round tower atop a limestone outcrop in the Golden Vale. Check in and enjoy a welcome orientation dinner with Irish traditional music and dance entertainment.
- 2Day 2
A Kilkenny Day
Explore Kilkenny's Medieval Mile — Kilkenny Castle with its long portrait gallery, St. Canice's Cathedral and climbable Round Tower, the Medieval Mile Museum, and Rothe House, a 17th-century merchant's home. Walking tour of Ireland's finest medieval city.
- 3Day 3
A Wexford Day
Visit the Kennedy Homestead in County Wexford — birthplace of President JFK's great-grandfather — and The Dunbrody Famine Ship and Irish Emigrant Experience, a full-scale reconstruction docked in New Ross. Round out the day with a tasting tour of a local Irish whiskey distillery or craft beer brewery.
- 4Day 4
Free Day
A free day to explore at your own pace. Optional activities include a day trip to Dublin, golf, a visit to Blarney Castle and Cork City, or simply wandering Kilkenny's medieval lanes, pubs, and craft shops.
- 5Day 5
A Waterford Day
Visit Waterford's Viking Triangle — Reginald's Tower, the Medieval Museum with its 1460 gold vestments, and the Bishop's Palace. Guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal, Ireland's most famous glassware factory, founded in 1783.
- 6Day 6
A Wicklow Day
Visit Glendalough, St. Kevin's 6th-century monastic settlement in the Wicklow Mountains — round tower, cathedral, high crosses, and two glacial lakes. Then on to Avoca Woolen Mills, Ireland's oldest working mill, weaving since 1723, set in the verdant Wicklow countryside.
- 7Day 7
Bunratty & the Cliffs of Moher
Travel to Bunratty, County Clare for your last night in Ireland. Tour Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, then visit the magnificent Cliffs of Moher before checking in to the Shannon Airport hotel.
- 8Day 8
Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the Shannon Airport hotel before departing for home. Tour ends after breakfast, 7–10 a.m.
A glimpse
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