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Autorondreizen Zuid Ierland

Uw  reisspecialist  voor  N-W Europa  en  groepsreizen

© Robin Reizen 2012

Irish Pub & Folk Tour - 11, 13 of 15 dagen

Ierse pubs zijn over de hele wereld bekend om de vriendelijkheid en warmte van hun gastvrijheid en ook als zijnde de ontmoetingsplaats voor gelijkgestemde zielen die zich vinden in goede gesprekken, humor, muziek en eten. Natuurlijk, laten we niet vergeten dat de typische Ierse kroeghouder ook bekend staat om af en toe van een of twee drankjes weg te geven. De Ierse Pub & Folk Tour brengt u naar steden die  talrijke grote pubs bieden, bekend om hun sfeer, voedsel en prachtige traditionele muziek.

 

Als u tussen deze steden in het oosten, zuiden en westen van Ierland reist, heeft u tevens ook de mogelijkheid om een aantal van de meest prachtige en pittoreske landschappen te zien die Ierland te bieden heeft. Combineer dat met de geschiedenis van de regio's die u passeert en u heeft de basis voor een onvergetelijke vakantie.

 

Deze tour zal u het echte inzicht geven in zowel het land, mensen en hun manier van leven.

 

 

Om u een idee geven van de details die wij bij onze routes voegen, vindt u hieronder het eerste gedeelte van de ruim 40 pagina tellende gedetailleerde routebeschrijving.

 

 

Dublin to Kilkenny

Estimated driving time if driving directly to Kilkenny is about 90+ minutes and if you are taking the side trip to Kildare as outlined it would be about 2 hours.

 

En-Route to Kilkenny you might like to stop in the town of Kildare to visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens. The National Stud comprises of three separate attractions. The 1,000 acre Farm at Tully has been in use as a Stud Farm since 1900 when it was owned by Col. William Hall-Walker. It is home to some of Ireland's finest thoroughbreds. There's a Horse Museum tracing the history of the horse in Ireland using artifacts, illustrations and text and the skeleton of the legendary steeplechaser 'Arkle'. In fact the winner of the 2003 Californian ‘Breeders Cup Mile’ race is a National Stud horse, the 3rd in the last 9 years.

 

The Japanese Gardens are situated in the grounds of the Stud Farm and were created between 1906 and1910. They are planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man' from the cradle to the grave. St. Fiachra's Garden was designed as a Millennium project and has 2.5 hectares (4 acres) of Woodland & Lakeside walks.

 

From here take the N9 directly into Kilkenny. If travelling directly to Kilkenny take the N7, the M7, the M9 and then the N9 south before branching off at Whitehall onto the N10.

 

Kilkenny

Long renowned as Ireland’s Medieval Capital, the city’s origins date back more than 1,500 years. Kilkenny, from the Gaelic "Cill Ceannaigh", derives its name from a 6th century monk called Saint Canice. Characterised by beautifully restored old buildings and covered slipways, Kilkenny City is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of fascinating, historical buildings, and contemporary shops, design galleries, cafés and restaurants. It is also an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding counties.

 

The great building prowess of the Normans is very evident in the 11th and 12th century structures they bestowed on the city. Not alone in the large “set piece” buildings, such as St. Canice’s Cathedral, the imposing Butler castle, the four surviving medieval abbeys, but also the linear streetscape, especially the attractive, covered stepped slipways. The 17th century was a time of great social and political turmoil for Kilkenny. It was the seat of the national parliament for a six-year period, the infamous Oliver Cromwell invaded the city in 1650 and Kilkenny College (another superb building in John Street, now serving as County Hall) was attended by such luminaries as Jonathan Swift and George Berkeley. This may mark the beginning of the lively cultural and intellectual movement that still thrives there. As well as Kilkenny Castle other attractions in Kilkenny itself and its environs include; Saint Canice's Cathedral (Anglican), the second longest of Ireland's medieval cathedrals, provides a seminal influence on Kilkenny life. Built on the site of an earlier church, which in turn replaced an earlier timber structure, the major portion of the work that produced the beautiful Gothic structure was carried out by Bishop Hugh de Mapilton in the middle of the 13th Century. Except for the spire, which collapsed in 1332, the present building is largely unchanged from the 13th century.

 

Features of the cathedral include the fine collection of 16th and 17th century tombstones; black marble monuments to lords, ladies and bishops, and to Edmund Purcell, 16th century captain of the Ormond's notorious gallowglasses, or mercenaries; the 12th century font and St. Kieran's chair, built into the cathedral walls and still used in the enthronement of the Bishops of Ossory; the Bishop's Palace and library, founded in 1679 and containing 3,000 works from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the Red Book of Ossory, a 15th century manuscript which chronicles the lives of early saints.

 

Cityscope, a scale model of the city as it was in 1640, is on view in the south aisle. Also on view are rich carvings worked in both, timber and stone, some dating to the 13th century, colourful stained glass, and everywhere the authentic air of a structure that has served the community for over 800 years.

 

Outside, the 9th century round tower, once used by the monks for refuge, may be climbed (weather permitting). Available from mid-March to October, it is well worth taking one of the walking tours of this compact city to fully appreciate the history of the area.

 

Possible Day trips and sightseeing opportunities using Kilkenny as a base are;

Side Trip from Kilkenny to Cahir Castle and the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary.

 

Travelling to Cashel via the N77 & N8 will take in the region of just over an hour. Cashel was once the seat of the Kings of Munster and capital of this southern province. The Rock, which rears above the plain, dominated the land routes southwards. Kings of Ireland as well as Munster came to this spot and St. Patrick is known to have preached on the rock and converted the local King, Aenghus, here in the 5th Century. Brian Boru was also crowned King of Ireland on this spot in the early 11th Century. King Cormac built his superb Royal Chapel in the 12th century. Visit Cashel town to experience and understand the historical relationship between the Rock and the town. Turn the key to the rich heritage in Cashel such as the archaeology, fine architecture, fascinating history and folklore of this remarkable town.

 

Adjoining the Rock of Cashel, you will find the Brú Ború Cultural Centre. This facility incorporates a folk theatre, restaurant, craft centre, information centre and genealogy suite. Traditional Irish music, song and dance are provided for visitors to the centre by world famous, resident Bru Boru Group of Irish musicians and artists during the summer season. Their latest additional facility is the dramatic and thought provoking underground theatre and exhibition which relays the story of Irish song and dance.

 

From Cashel, travel south on the N8 for about 10 miles to the small town of Cahir. Cahir Castle, once an important stronghold of the powerful Butler family, retains its impressive keep, tower and much of its original defensive structure. It is one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles. Situated on a rocky island on the River Suir, the Castle’s attractions include an excellent audio-visual show, which informs visitors of all the main sites of the area. There are also several exhibitions and guided tours available.

 

From Cahir, take the N24 to Waterford. When you reach Waterford, take the N25 in the direction of Cork and you will soon see the Waterford Crystal Factory on your right as you reach the outskirts of Waterford City. Although it seems that every tourist that visits Ireland eventually ends up here at some stage, it really is a worthwhile excursion to tour the factory that creates the world’s most famous cut glass.

 

Waterford Crystal has a long tradition of extending a warm welcome to tourists from all over the world. Visitors are guided through the actual production areas, where the world famous crystal is made. The tour gives you an opportunity to witness how the crystal is produced, from molten crystal through to finished masterpieces. The Gallery is home to the world’s largest display of Waterford Crystal and in addition, you can see beautiful displays of Wedgwood, Rosenthal, Stuart Crystal, John Rocha at Waterford and Marquis by Waterford.

 

You will also find a Craft & Jewelery gift store, an elegant restaurant, a Tourist Information Office and a Bureau de Change to help you further plan your holiday. The last tour each day will depart strictly at 4.15pm during the summer opening hours and 3.15 in the winter opening hours. Closed St Patrick's Day.

 

Lismore Castle & Gardens - Prince John built the original castle in 1185. The Estate was granted for a time to Walter Raleigh for a rent of £12 per annum. He sold the property to Richard Boyle, later 1st Earl of Cork, who rebuilt the castle, parts of which are incorporated in the present castle built in the mid-19th century by the 6th Duke of Devonshire. The gardens are set in seven acres within the 17th century outer defensive walls and have spectacular views of the castle. The gardens are believed to be the oldest in Ireland retaining much of their original Jacobean form. A recently planted herbaceous border aligned on the Cathedral's spire gives an impressive show of colour throughout the summer months.

 

There is also a fine selection of magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and a remarkable yew walk where Edmund Spenser is said to have written the "Faerie Queen". In 1998 several pieces of contemporary sculpture were installed in the garden. The two gardens are delightfully linked by the staircase to the Riding House built in 1631. Lismore is the Irish home of the Duke of Devonshire.

 

The Upper and Lower gardens are connected by a staircase in the Riding House. Public disabled lavatories are nearby but not on the premises. The new entrance will give wheelchair access to points of the Upper Garden and to the Gallery only. The gallery has toilet facilities for the disabled. Currently only the lower garden is accessible to wheelchair users unless by prior appointment.

 

Take the R700 from Kilkenny to the town of New Ross – a journey of about 27 miles. From New Ross, take the N25 to Wexford. Just before you reach Wexford, you will see signs for the Irish National Heritage Park on the N11. The Park, which is one of the country’s top attractions, features replications of Irish homesteads, burial and worship sites, and takes the visitor on tour through 9,000 years of Irish history.

 

From Wexford, travel on the R733 through Wellington Bridge. Just west of the town on the R733 is a roadside stop on the left by a cemetery; from here you can look across Bannow Bay to the ruins of Clonmines, a Norman village established in the 13th century. This is one of the finest examples of a walled medieval settlement in Ireland, with remains of two churches, three tower houses, and an Augustinian priory. You can drive to the ruins - just follow the R733 another mile west to a left turn posted for the Coastal Pathway, and continue straight on this road where the Coastal Pathway turns right.

 

De resterende details van deze routebeschrijving ontvangt bij uw boeking/reisbescheiden.

 

Aanvraag/Reserveren

Reisschema 11/13 dagen

2 nachten Kilkenny

1/2 nachten Kinsale, Country Cork

2/3 nachten Killarney, County Kerry

1 nacht County Clare

2 nachten Galway

2 nachten Dublin

 

Reisschema 15 dagen

2 nachten Kilkenny

2 nachten Kinsale, Country Cork

3 nachten Killarney, County Kerry

2 nachten County Clare

2 nachten Galway

3 nachten Dublin