Things to do in

Waterford

The House of Waterford Crystal Tour is more than a factory visit. We take you on a journey into the world of crystal. You’ll see each stage of the process that goes into making these pieces of art. We start in the history room, tracing Waterford Crystal from its birth. This part of the site features detailed exhibits of the firm’s development, and you’ll see some of their great antique pieces on display here. You’ll then proceed to the mold room, where wooden molds and hand tools are still used by master blowers to shape the molten crystal. From here we move on to the blowing room, where you’ll watch as craftsmen transform glowing balls of molten crystal into elegant shapes. In the cutting department, master craftsmen use industrial diamond-tipped wheels to cut the crystal. The diamond wheel ensures a high quality cut to the crystal. The last two stages of the process involve sculpting and engraving, and are arguably the most precision-based stages in the creation of a piece of Waterford Crystal. Your tour ends with a visit to the retail shop, where you’ll see the largest display of Waterford Crystal in the world.

Embark on an immersive journey through Dublin's storied streets with an audio guide tour, a companion that unlocks the city's secrets at your own pace. Dublin is a captivating blend of old-world charm and modern vitality. From the medieval streets of Temple Bar to the majestic expanse of Phoenix Park, this audio tour is your passport to discovering the city's hidden gems, iconic landmarks, and the untold stories that linger in every cobblestone. Traverse the winding paths of Dublin and transport through time, with tales of Viking invasions, literary legends, and the birth of a nation. Immerse yourself in the melodic lilt of the locals, the echoes of centuries-old laughter, and the whispers of historical intrigue that linger in the air. Learn more about the top 26 tourist attractions in Dublin. Its history, culture, myths, architecture, and other important facts are in this audio commentary which starts from the city's central station then the itinerary gradually moves one by one. 1. Heuston Station 2. National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History 3. Distillery Bow St 4. St. Michan's Church 5. Dublinia 6. Christ Church Cathedral 7. Dublin Castle 8. Chester Beatty 9. St. Patrick's Cathedral 10. Marsh's Library 11. St. Stephen's Green 12. The Little Museum 13. National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology 14. National Museum of Ireland - Natural History 15. National Gallery of Ireland 16. Trinity College and Library 17. Irish Whiskey Museum 18. Molly Malone Statue 19. GPO Museum 20. Famine Sculptures 21. EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum 22. Kilmainham Gaol Museum 23. Phoenix Park 24. Dublin Zoo 25. Glasnevin Museum 26. National Botanic Gardens

Embark on a 6-day tour from Dublin and discover Glendalough, Kilkenny, Waterford, Blarney Castle, Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Slea Head, Ring of Kerry, Killarney, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and Connemara. Day 1: Dublin - Glendalough - Kilkenny Castle - Waterford City Begin the tour in central Dublin. Leave the capital behind and drive through rolling countryside to the Wicklow Mountains. Your first stop is the monastery ruins at Glendalough, the Valley of Two Lakes. Admire the natural beauty and enjoy the local walks and trails with views of ancient Celtic crosses and round towers. Afterward, continue to the medieval city of Kilkenny with its cobbled streets and famous red ale. Not far from Waterford Harbor on the southeast coast, Dunmore East is a relaxing spot to spend the evening with a handful of pubs and some great seafood restaurants. Day 2: Waterford City - Waterford Crystal - Blarney Castle - Dingle Peninsula Your day begins with a visit to the world-famous Waterford Crystal factory. Stock up on fine-cut glass at the outlet store or simply pause a while to watch the artisans at work. Continue with a scenic drive through County Waterford and a panoramic drive through Cork city. The highlight for many today is the world-renowned Blarney Castle. After lunch, continue on your journey to the Dingle Peninsula, where you will stay overnight at one of the westernmost points of Ireland. Day 3: Dingle Peninsula - Slea Head - Killarney Take the short drive to Dingle, a charming Irish-speaking fishing village. Famed in many films like Far and Away and Ryan's Daughter, Dingle is celebrated for having the most pubs in Ireland for a town of its size, 52 pubs and 2000 people. Then it's off on a wonderful pleasant trip around Slea Head with amazing views of Sleeping Giant Island, the Blasket Islands, and Beehive Huts. Day 4: Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Killarney Discover the amazing scenery of the Ring of Kerry. Begin with a horse and cart ride through Killarney National Park (optional) or a horseback ride through the park for the energetic and adventurous (optional). Your afternoon is packed with many highlights including Moll's Gap, Ladies View, Leprechaun Crossing, Killarney National Park, Lakes of Killarney, Torc Waterfall, and much more. Day 5: Killarney - Cliffs of Moher - Galway Visit the town of Killarney and Bunratty Castle in the morning. Then in the afternoon, continue north along the Wild Atlantic Way. Stop at the iconic Cliffs of Moher and the village of Doolin. Stay overnight in Galway, known as the city of the tribes and Ireland's cultural capital, with a vast array of fine seafood eateries, and home to an endless selection of traditional Irish music venues. Day 6: Galway - Connemara - Dublin Discover the rugged beauty of the Connemara region, located west of Galway city. Have time to visit Cong Abbey before heading off on your journey through the midlands back to Dublin.

The Irish Experience (theirishexperience.com) offers you this fantastic and unique Sea Kayaking Experience along Ireland's visually stunning southern coastline. Soak up and take in the best Atlantic Ocean location in Ireland with this truly unique way of exploring this magical coastline. The stunning and natural area of The Hook Peninsula is just 90 minutes from Dublin and steeped in jaw-dropping historical stories, rich with heritage and has diverse wildlife, which this tour will bring to life through your expert local guide! We take you to explore golden sandy beaches, beautiful craggy coves, cliff cracks and crevasses, which comprise an impressive variety of Sea Caves. The Experience includes one of the most amazing natural Sea Caves you will ever have the pleasure of entering by kayak. If you are in Ireland and you love "off-the-beaten-track" adventure, this is not something you can miss! Drive Time from Popular Locations : Dublin - 90mins Cork - 90mins Kilkenny - 40mins Waterford - 30mins Wexford Town - 30mins New Ross Town - 30mins Taxi can be arranged on request

Walk through a beautiful route of the city, discover hidden gems and visit 10+ of the most important attractions and spots. Learn some introductory information about each place and interesting stories about the city in general. Download the ‘World City Trail ‘app from the store and login. Read the instructions and head to the starting location. Unlock photos of the exterior and the interior of the location. Read some information regarding the attraction and continue walking to the next checkpoint. Note what you liked and did not like and create your bucket list for the next days! Start your walk any time, without a schedule. Pause it for lunch, have a drink, visit an attraction of your choice, and continue later or even another day. With the maps feature, you will never get lost. Start your tour at the imposing statue of Charles Stewart Parnell! Visit the 120m tall Spire of Dublin. Photograph the O'Connell Bridge in incredible detail and admire the unique Christ Church Cathedral with a scenery taken from a movie. The City Hall will amaze you, it is one of the characteristic symbols of the Georgian style. Afterwards, St. Patrick's Cathedral awaits you, don't forget to take pictures! Admire the Fusiliers' Arch, which exists to remind the Irish of their sacrifice in war. The National Museum of Ireland is worth your time and the space on your mobile memory with its wonderful exhibits. The Parish of St. Andrew will leave you speechless, it is one of the landmarks of Dublin, while the icing on the cake of this unique tour will be Whiskey Museum, a spot with history about Ireland’s National drink. Download the ‘’World City Trail ‘’ app from the store. Then start your tour and enjoy!

Step back in time and explore Irish history from the Viking to the Victorian era on this 45 minute Viking Triangle tour in Waterford. Follow your guide through this ancient Irish city and learn about the treasures of Waterford including Reginald’s Tower, Greyfriars Friary, Choristers’ Hall, the Mayor’s Wine Vault and the Bishop’s Palace. Gain insight into Ireland’s colorful past and learn of the invasions, battles and victories which shaped the country we know today. Admire archaeological treasures from centuries passed and trace Ireland’s architecture through the generations.

Pick up a backpack full of detective tools at our shop at The Clockwork Door, 51 Wellington Quay, Dublin, and set out on an unforgettable adventure. The Irish Crown Jewels have gone missing. Inspector John Kane claims that he knows what happened to them, but his report was suppressed. He has sent you his notes to try to figure it out! Do you have what it takes to find the culprit and the location of the gems? The treasure map will lead you to five must-see places in the city center. At each location, you will learn about Dublin and solve a challenge to pick up clues about the different suspects. Complete the route to solve the case and return to our shop to claim your prize. The game takes 2 hours, but we encourage you to take your time to explore along the way. There are great places to stop for drinks, photos, and local specialties along the way! All bookings are private. You will play with your own group - if there are other people they will play separately. We don't recommend playing alone. The game was designed for adults, but it is suitable for children 7+ when they play with their parents.

Day 1: Depart Dublin for Cork, driving through the lush farm counties of Kildare, Laois, and Tipperary. Make a short stop in the heritage town of Cahir to see the ruined abbey and impressive castle on an island in the River Suir. Continue to Blarney on the outskirts of Cork. Visit the castle and take one of the woodland walks to the mystical Rock Close. Explore the village of Blarney, stopping for lunch.  There may even be time to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. After this, there is a chance to discover Jameson Whiskey Distillery and taste one of Ireland's favourite exports. In the afternoon, tour the beautiful coastline of West Cork, and see some of the magnificent beaches, tiny inlets and coves. End the day in the fishing village of Kinsale, where you will be based for the night. Kinsale is famous for its food, and the evening is free to wander the narrow streets, popping into traditional pubs and restaurants. Day 2: Explore some of the highlights of southeast Ireland, starting with the historic port of Cobh, the main departure point for Irish emigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was also from here that the Titanic ocean liner set forth on her ill-fated maiden voyage. Continue east to Waterford, traveling along the “Copper Coast” (a designated UNESCO geo-park for its spectacular beauty). Stop at the popular surfing beach of Tramore, before heading into Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. Founded by the Vikings in the 9th century, it’s also famous for the Waterford Crystal Factory, which you are free to visit along with one of the excellent museums. Alternatively, explore the Viking Triangle on foot. In the late afternoon, depart for the busy city of Kilkenny with its fine castle and park, as well as some lovely riverside walks. Go to the National Craft Centre, or hang out in one of the pubs and enjoy a glass of Guinness! Day 3: Enjoy a free morning to explore Kilkenny before driving to the Wicklow Mountains. Marvel at some of Ireland’s highest granite peaks and see impressive valleys carved by glaciers. One of the area’s highlights is Glendalough, known as the “Valley of the Lakes.” Take one of the walking trails, or explore the ruins of the 6th-century monastery to see its round tower. The last section of your tour takes you into the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, before crossing the famous Sally Gap to descend into Dublin for an approximate 18:30 arrival.

You’re looking for a fun way to explore the city at your own pace? Then, this city-exploration game is made for you! You’ll entertain all your group with interesting questions, while still teaching them fun facts about the city. Your mission (should you choose to accept it): Jackson Wilde, the famous city-explorer, needs your help… Help him solve quizzes to gather as many points as possible. With this activity, you will be guided through the following locations: 1. Samuel Beckett Bridge 2. Famine Memorial 3. Custom House 4. Spire 5. Ha'penny Bridge 6. Temple Bar 7. Christ Church Cathedral 8. St. Patrick's Cathedral 9. Dublin Castle 10. Molly Malone Statue 11. Trinity College Download the app on Android or iOS (or access it directly through your browser) to get access to a fun mission, multiple quizzes, as well as city guides about each monument. So, are you ready to explore Dublin?

Mount Congreve Gardens is located in the heart of County Waterford, just a short ten minute drive from Waterford City. The gardens at Mount Congreve are a haven for plant & history lovers alike, as well as a beautiful setting for those simply looking to relax in nature. Boasting one of the largest private collections of plants globally and described as ‘A Great Garden of the World’ - the entire collection features plants from every continent. Visitors enter the gardens through Mount Congreve House, which was built in 1760 and lived in by six generations of the Congreve family until 2011. There are two interpretative spaces in the house where visitors can enjoy a short video, a 3D model of the estate, as well as flip books containing beautiful imagery of the Congreve family, house and gardens. Visitors can also book a guided tour with one of Mount Congreve's expert gardeners, or the gardens resident curator Michael White. Or to further immerse in nature groups could join a Forest Bathing experience. This experience is designed to boost both mental and physical health, while restoring emotional energy and overall vitality. As well this, Mount Congreve offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy breakfast, lunch or light bite, in the beautiful Stables Café. Afternoon tea and private dining are also on offer at Mount Congreve with the Large Drawing (affectionately known as the Chinese Room), Library Room, Mr. Congreve's Office and the Tack Room all available for hire. No visit to Mount Congreve is complete without a visit to the Secret Garden Gift Shop, where you'll find trinkets and treasures for every occasion. The Gate Lodge at Mount Congreve offers luxury self-catering accommodation and can accommodate up to 4 adults. Voted one of the best places to stay in Ireland in the Irish Independent Fab 50. This tastefully restored gate lodge is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a luxury self-catering stay in Ireland - guests can enjoy full access to the gardens after hours. Mount Congreve Gardens can also be accessed directly from the Waterford Greenway – which is ideal for those looking to walk or cycle on this award-winning greenway.