Ten Amazing Days Visiting Ireland’s Ancient East!

Ireland | Sep 21 - Sep 30, 2026

Thank you Aleksandra for planning a wonderful trip to SE Ireland. You did exactly what we asked, which was planning a flexible itinerary. This allowed us to add a few adventures and skip a few things depending on our timing. You were very responsive to changes during the planning as well as accessible when needed during our trip. You were excellent! 10/10!!

Following, is a review/feedback of each location;

Dublin:
Leinster Taxi from airport to the Schoolhouse Gastropoda Hotel - driver “Tony” was excellent, on time, even though our flight arrived 1 1/2 hours late. Tony gave us an informative ride and was a great introduction to Ireland.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Th Schoolhouse Gastropub. The front desk staff was friendly (Tina!!), welcoming and very helpful. The room was clean and had a great housekeeping staff. We appreciate having the restaurant on site for the included breakfast and also tried it for dinner, which was excellent. The wait for our dinner was very slow, however the water comped our drinks.

On our return to Dublin, Tina at the front desk allowed us an early midday checking to drop off our luggage, which allowed us to turn in our rental car more easily.

Dublin Private Walk Tour:
The tour guide, Mydie was sick and we were not able to do the walking tour. However, she comped us by getting tickets for the Hop On Hop Off bus tour, the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum (very well done and recommended for other visitors, and St Patrick’s Cathedral. She also gave us a monetary voucher for Bewley’s - a wonderful cafe which we highly recommend for visitors.

Merry Ploughboy Gastro Pub:
This was a great introduction to Irish food, music and dancing. The food was 3 of 5 stars.

While walking around Dublin, we also recommend the following sites:
- St. Stephen’s Green
- Sheridan’s Cheesemongers ( cheese shop -where we sampled cheese)
- John Kehoe’s Pub for a pint!

Rental car: We used Alamo Rental Car and picked it up at St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Center on the top floor. Staff was great but it was a challenge driving in and out of the tight parking garage.

Drive Dublin to Wicklow:
We drove through Sally Gap Drive to Powerscourt Waterfall and Powerscourt Gardens. We enjoyed the scenic drive and found it very worthwhile.

The Coachhouse stay in Roundwood was very nice and cozy with a lot of sitting areas, with lovely plants, some retail and a nice pub. We especially liked the option to have the included sit down full breakfast or eat in the attached bakery/cafe. However, we were not greeted when we arrived and searched for staff in order to check in. It was not made clear the options for breakfast. Wi-Fi only works on the first floor and not in guest rooms, which was inconvenient. We do recommend it as a lovely place to stay, however the manager was not friendly or customer service oriented. She was always rushing around and made us feel like we were inconveniencing her.

Monastic Glendalough was a very nice stop with amazing architecture. We also visited the Upper and Lower Lake. We recommend parking at the Visitor’s Center and entering the monastery from the parking lot. There are restrooms there as well as a place to purchase food/drinks. Having lunch at The Wicklow Heather in Brockagh County, Wicklow was a highlight. (5/5 stars!!) The bar area was very nice and there was a dining area called The Writer’s Room, filled with original editions of various Irish writers. Excellent service. Beautiful floral patio area for dining when weather allows. We took a side trip to Glenmacnass Waterfall from the parking area there is a wonderful view of the valley and Guinness colored waterfall.

Wicklow to Wexford:
We found out that the same company (Aramark) that owns The Coach House also owns Avoca Mills in Avoca. We took a tour of Avoca Mill with “Art” who was excellent and informative. We recommend visiting the shop and cafe at Avoca Mills. There were lovely wool garments made at the mill, blankets and scarves and gift items. The bakery had delicious coffee and wonderful baked pastries.

Visited Enniscorthy which included Vinegar Hill with a scenic view of the countryside. Visited the 1798 Rebellion Center (3/5) . Had lunch at The Cotton Tree Cafe (3/5) and a pint of Guinness at Stamps Pub (3/5). Stayed at the Riverside Park Hotel. Mediocre Hotel at best, musty, smokey and damp smell and rooms outdated. Breakfast was not as good as previous places on the trip. The pool facility was decent. Note: guests must wear a bathing cap or rent one to use pool area. This hotel did not match the description online.

Waterford:
Excellent walking tour with “Liam” was brilliant. The Waterford Factory tour was worthwhile and interesting.
Fabulous stop at Hook Lighthouse on the way to Waterford. Taking the tour of the lighthouse was VERY worthwhile. We bought tickets on site. Note: There were restrooms and a sandwich/soup restaurant on site in the old light keepers house. The Avoca Mill Gift-shop gives a 10% discount on a sales receipt for tickets to Hook Lighthouse.

Driving Note: We recommend rather that driving to New Ross to get to Waterford, take the East Passage Ferry which departs every 15 minutes. This was convenient because our lodging at Marsh Mere Lodge was in Arthurstown, very close to the ferry.

Marsh Mere Lodge was an absolute STAND OUT place to stay!! 5/5 stars!! Host Claire was fabulous. The home was filled with generations of antiques and was like a museum. Very clean and well decorated. Very personal touches with bottled water and cookies, coffee and tea. Breakfast was 10/10 - homemade full Irish breakfast including homemade breads and scones. Amazing view overlooking the sea wall of Waterford harbor. NOTE: The host does not accept payment from the travel agent, though the travel agent can make a reservation. The guest must pay host directly upon arrival.

Waterford to Kilkenny:
Beautiful drive to Rock of Cashel. One of the highlights of our trip. We had lunch at The Cellar Bar at Bailey’s Hotel in Cashel. Excellent service and excellent food. For visit at Rock of Cashel, park at Car Park just below the site.
Stayed at Kilkenny House Hotel (3/5 stars - nice lobby area and recently updated hotel, however no personal touches in rooms, no water bottles, etc.) Breakfast was included however there were breakfast items that had run out, pitchers empty, and not homemade items - more like a modest hotel continental breakfast.

Kilkenny Walking Tour (John Crommerford was “The Craic”!!! Ask for him! He was very knowledgeable and gave us nearly a three hour tour! Offered his contact information if we needed any help or advice while in Kilkenny. Loved visit to Rick Steve’s recommended bookstore “The Book Centre Kilkenny. Visited The Field Bar and Restaurant w/ live music. Our favorite spot was Tholsel Bar. Great live music and more modern pub vibe, with big open window in front . Had dinner at Kytelers Inn (4/5) Cozy ambiance and good food/service. NOTE: when parking in garages in Kilkenny, take note of closing hours. We had to call security after hours which cost us 25 Euro. Overall - Kilkenny was our favorite city we visited. For great shopping - we enjoyed The Kilkenny Design Center Kilkenny Castle yard across from the Kilkenny Castle. Great artisans, and met a soap maker Denise O’Conner at MySkin and 85 year old silversmith Des Byrne!

Return to Dublin:
Received VERY warm welcome back at The Schoolhouse Gastro Pub with note and chocolates on our bed. Enjoyed touring Trinity College and seeing The Book of Kells. We shopped on Dawson Street and the pedestrian mall in the city center. Highly recommend the Celtic Whiskey Shop. Staff was very knowledgeable and wrapped our bottles for airplane travel. Great ways to finish trip was a visit to Peruke and Periwig cocktail bar. Incredibly eclectic decor and drink menu currently based on Alice and Wonderland theme, but signature drinks change periodically an are created by the staff. The drink menu alone is a piece of art. we topped off our trip with a delicious dinner at The Schoolhouse Gastro Pub.