The Irish Rover - Going Solo

We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and continue onwards to our hotel in Enniscorthy, our base for the next five nights.

This morning, we make our way to the charming town of Kilkenny. Discover the famous Medieval Mile, which captures 800 years of history with its award-winning museum, impressive castle, delightful Rothe Gardens and St Canice’s round tower, one of three climbable towers in Ireland. The riverside walks and traditional pubs are not to be missed too.

The medieval city of Dublin awaits. Once Europe’s fifth-largest city with a history that stretches back over a thousand years, Dublin is now one of the most vibrant cities in the world with museums, art galleries, wonderful architecture and numerous friendly pubs serving up the perfect pint of Guinness. We also have the option to join a guided tour of the city to get to know Dublin’s wonderful architecture and fascinating past.

Enjoy a day at leisure today, exploring the historic town of Enniscorthy and relaxing at our welcoming hotel, or choose to join an optional excursion. Ireland’s history is brought to life at our first stop, the Dunbrody Famine Ship at New Ross. On a guided tour, we learn about the bravery of Irish people onboard an authentic replica of an 1840s emigrant boat, complete with costumed performers, insightful displays and details of their harrowing journey. After weeks spent dangerously crossing the Atlantic, the emigrants arrived in North America and made up a quarter of the population in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore by 1850. Our second stop is the charming county town of Wexford on the mouth of the picturesque River Slaney. There are plenty of fascinating sights to discover, from the well-preserved ancient West Gate Tower to the beautiful ruined Selskar Abbey, which stands on the site where the first Anglo-Irish peace treaty was signed. Take the opportunity to wander through the narrow streets or enjoy true Irish hospitality in the many pubs and restaurants.

Our first stop today is Glendalough, often referred to as the Valley of the Two Lakes and an early medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, a hermit priest who sought solitude in its serene surroundings. Find out more at the visitor centre before taking in the sights, including the Round Tower, which stands at 30 metres tall and served as a refuge for monks during Viking raids, plus the remains of the cathedral, several churches and ancient stone crosses.
We then head into the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which covers 20,000 hectares of stunning mountain scenery with vast sweeps of heather-clad moorland, hills, bogland, deep glacial valleys and lakes. The mountains are also home to a variety of wildlife habitats. Driving up the Wicklow Gap, we enjoy a photo stop before continuing to Avoca, the filming location of the popular TV series Ballykissangel. Located in County Wicklow with the picturesque Avoca River running through its heart, the town offers charming streets lined with quaint shops and cosy pubs, along with Avoca Handweavers, one of Ireland's oldest working mills, where you may wish to explore traditional crafts and purchase beautifully made knitwear and textiles.

We check out of our hotel very early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.