Southeast Ireland - Wexford, Waterford & Kilkenny
Known as “The Sunny Southeast,” this ancient corner of Ireland comprises the five counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. This stunning area is an evocative patchwork of fertile valleys and plains.
Down through the centuries the Celts, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans have passed through these valleys, leaving behind a landscape rich in historical remains. Countless castles, abbeys, fortresses and ancient settlements remain to mark their passage. Rivers and mountains criss-cross the Southeast, meandering under old stone bridges, around magical mountains, through picturesque villages and past neatly thatched cottages before finally entering the sea at scenic seaside towns.
The best part about the southeast is that it is largely overlooked by most tourists, meaning that you’ll have the mountains, landscapes and coasts to yourself, only rubbing shoulders with locals. Couple this with the southeast’s reputation for Ireland’s best weather, and you end up with a magical place for an outdoor adventure!
What to see and do in Southeast Ireland
- Enjoy spectacular hikes in places such as the Comeragh Mountains and its beautiful corrie lakes. Other nearby mountain ranges include the Galtees and the Knockmealdowns. Far fewer visitors hike in these beautiful mountains and therefore you’re more likely to get a local experience.
- Walk the streets of the majestic medieval town of Kilkenny and its jaw-dropping Kilkenny Castle.
- There are many other castles in the region too, like the lovely Lismore Castle with its stunning gardens or the stronghold of Cahir Castle.
- The southwest has a spectacular coastline too full of little-visited beaches along the well-named Copper Coast.
- The Rock of Cashel is possibly the most famous historical site in the area. Attributed to a quarrel between the Devil and St Patrick, this fortified monastery is built atop a massive bedrock on the top of a hill.
- Did you known that the we have the Vikings to thank for the founding of most Irish towns such as Dublin, Limerick, Cork and more. Learn more about Viking history in Waterford town and Wexford town, both principle ports founded by the Vikings.