LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Irish National Heritage Park
The Irish National Heritage Park is one of the best Ireland’s Ancient East attractions and a fantastic place for a family day out. There is just so much going on here all year round! We offer an immersive Irish history experience for all the family, with over 40 acres of natural woodland, 16 reconstructions of historic sites, and a live archaeological dig where the first Norman castle was built in Ireland. Explore at your own pace or with a costumed guide to bring the sights, sounds and stories of the past to life. We have three special themed heritage tours – Pre-Historic Ireland, Early Christian Ireland and the Age of Invasion – with each bringing you on a different journey through Irish history.
The Nine Stones
The Nine Stones Viewing Point provides an unrivalled vista of the rich and colourful Carlow countryside spread out like a tapestry before you. Eight counties can be viewed from this spot – Carlow, Laois, Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, the mountains of Tipperary, and on a clear day the coast of Wales, to the east.
Curracloe Beach
Curracloe Beach is a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach in County Wexford. The beach has featured in a Hollywood movie, stretches for miles and is famous for its soft, fine sand.
The Raven Forest and Beach
Raven Point Wood is a woodland walking trail. Near Curracloe beach, this popular walk is located in Nature Reserve owned by the NPWS.
Hook Lighthouse
Explore the oldest operational lighthouse in the world. Voted one of Ireland’s favourite attractions, Hook Lighthouse in Wexford is truly one of a kind. Purpose built 800 years ago by Knight William Marshal, take a step back in time and enjoy a guided tour hearing tales of medieval times and life as a light keeper.
Kilmore Quay
Experience Kilmore Quay, a small fishing village in County Wexford with quaint whitewashed cottages and thatched roofs. Stroll along the charming marina and watch colourful boats drift by and after, take a trip to the uninhabited Saltee Islands and try to spot some adorable puffins. Go on a scuba diving adventure and check out the impressive marine life, or hire a fishing boat for excellent deep sea fishing off the coast.
Mount Leinster
Mount Leinster, at 794m, is the highest point of both Carlow and Wexford, but despite the name, not of Leinster. Unusually for such a big hill, there is a road running all the way to the top in order to service the array of masts on the summit.
Kilkenny Castle
Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than Kilkenny Castle. Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years.
St. Mullins
The picturesque village of St. Mullins in South Carlow is a scenic and charming Barrow-side village with an impressive ecclesiastical history.
Mahon Falls
Mahon Falls is an 80m waterfall formed where the waters of the River Mahon plunge over sandstone cliffs on the southern slopes of the Comeragh Mountains, in County Waterford. There is a car park close to the falls with a moderate walk to get to their base and beautiful views back towards the sea and the town of Dungarvan.
Tintern Abbey
County Wexford’s Tintern Abbey was a Cistercian abbey, founded on the Hook Peninsula around 1200. Today, an atmospheric ruin remains for visitors interested in Irish monastic history, comprising a nave, chancel, tower, chapel and cloister.
Inistioge
Inistioge is a beautiful and historic village on the river Nore in South Kilkenny. Its special character has made it one of the most visited places in the South East of Ireland for many decades. Nestling in the Nore valley it offers some of the best scenery in the region particularly in the recently restored gardens of the Woodstock estate. There is lots to do and when you tire of river paths and woodland hikes you can choose to eat and drink in one of our excellent restaurants and pubs.
Secret Valley Wildlife Park
Award-winning Secret Valley Wildlife Park is set in 14 acres of beautiful countryside only 1.5hrs from Dublin; we are conveniently close to Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford town.
John F Kennedy Arboretum
Dedicated to the memory of John F. Kennedy, whose great-grandfather, Patrick, was born in the nearby village of Dunganstown, this arboretum near New Ross, County Wexford, contains a plant collection of presidential proportions. It covers a massive 252 hectares on the summit and southern slopes of Slieve Coillte and contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world. There are 200 forest plots grouped by continent. Of special note is an ericaceous garden with 500 different rhododendrons and many varieties of azalea and heather, dwarf conifers and climbing plants.
Loch Mahon Fishing Lakes
Lochmahon comprises three spring fed lakes stocked with Trout, Carp, Roach, Rudd, and Tench. Facilities include: dedicated fly lake, specimen carp lake (up to 25Ib), and course/match lake. Private free parking, rod hire, toilets, fly fishing lessons, outdoor lawn, picnic/bbq area, overnight fishing by arrangement. Our tackle shop is stocked with leading brands, Fox, NGT, Preston, Matrix, Korum, and CC Moore and Dynamite baits, live and frozen bait also available.
