Dramatic coastal scenery interspersed with perfectly quiet beaches. Colourful rolling countryside with hidden pieces of history.  With so many ways to unwind in such spectacular settings, it's no wonder it is where the Irish choose to stay.

Sandy Beaches and Sheltered Coves

The Sunny South East gets more sunshine than any other part of Ireland and has a host of sandy beaches. Visit the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East which has been a very popular holiday resort for years. This   fishing harbour village has traditional Irish Pubs and excellent restaurants.   Enjoy the sandy beach and discover sea life in the rock pools.

Following the coast road head to the seaside town of Tramore, famous for its 3 miles of sandy beach and surfing with a small fair ground to keep the children amused, there is also Splashworld, with slides and rapids.

Other beaches to name just a few are Rosslare Strand, Woodstown and Annestown - discover your own favourite and just relax.

The Medieval Capital of Ireland

Just 58 miles from Rosslare and 78 miles from Dublin is Kilkenny City, long renowned as Irelands Medieval Capital. With Kilkenny being small enough to explore on foot we would recommend you take one of the walking tours and learn more about the cats with no tails and tales of Kitty Kyteler - was she a witch or not?

Kilkenny Castle is  located in the heart of the city and while tours of the castle largely focus on the fine art, children are likely to be more interested in the gardens and parkland, which include a playground and riverside walk. Kilkenny’s winding slipways, central location, and vibrant nightlife make it the perfect festival location.

From April to October is festival season in Kilkenny starting in April with the Pan Celtic Festival, a celebration of all things Irish, whilst in May the Rhythm & Roots festival hosts international stars of bluegrass, country and alternative country and during high summer the Murphy’s Cat Laughs Comedy Festival. Gowran Park Horse Racing and Golf course is just 6 miles from Kilkenny city – so there is something here for everyone!

Waterford to Cork

From Waterford, take the coast road via Dunmore East a pretty fishing village, and Tramore, which has a beautiful long and sandy beach. Continue through Annestown, Bunmahon and Clonea to Dungarvan, a good place to stop as it has some lively pubs and restaurants.

Heading into Co. Cork, Youghal (pronounced Yawl),  is one of the few towns were the medieval town walls still survive. The town enjoys a seaside location with 5km of excellent sandy beach. Take time to visit the picturesque fishing village of Ballycotton which also has some fine restuarants due to the fine local cookery schools.

Middleton is known for its distilling of Jameson’s Irish Whiskey and tours run daily with a taster at the end – well worth a visit! Discover Cobh's special connections with the ill fated Titanic which sank on her maiden voyage - Cobh was her last port of call. Relive the horror of World War I and the sinking of the Lusitania off Cork Harbour with the loss of 1,198 lives. The Queenstown Story brings this to life.   

Not far from here is Fota Wildlife Park where giraffes, zebras, ostrich and antelope roam together in 40 acres of parkland while monkey’s swing through the trees.

West Cork to Mizen Head

Follow the southern coastline to where west Cork reaches out to the Atlantic. The beautiful harbour town of Kinsale is known as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland with an internationally renowned circle of gourmet restaurants and pubs.

Visit the charming villages of Rosscarbery, Glandore, Union Hall and Castletownshend, set in picturesque surroundings. Continue to Skibbereen and visit the fishing village of Baltimore which is the gateway for boat trips to the islands including Cape Clear Island (Oilean Chleire), Sherkin Island and Heir Island.

Continuing onwards through Ballydehob and Schull, from here the mood changes, as the peninsula strikes out to where the Atlantic rages. But at Mizen Head,  the extreme south-west point of Ireland, one can stand on cliffs that ignore the ceaseless pounding of the Atlantic.

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