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Bray
County Wicklow is known for its walking trails and the coastal path from Bray to Greystones is one of the best. Alternatively, take the path from Bray to the top of Bray Head to enjoy panoramic views of Bray, North East Wicklow and Dublin Bay.
PM
Black Castle
The ruins of Black Castle stand on a rocky headland looking out across the North Wicklow coast. Built around 1176 following the Norman invasions, Black Castle is a castle with a turbulent history, under frequent attack from the local chieftains.
Suggested lunch stop: Firehouse Bakery and Café
Stay overnight at BrookLodge & Macreddin Village
Dinner: La Taverna Armento, BrookLodge & Macreddin Village
AM
Brittas Bay and Curracloe Beach
Drive from BrookLodge to Brittas Bay (35 minutes).
One of the finest expanses of shoreline on the east coast, Three Mile Water at Brittas Bay is thought to have been the initial landing point of St Patrick in Ireland.
Drive from Brittas Bay to Curracloe Beach (55 minutes).
This Blue Flag Award-winning beach stretches over 11km from Raven Point to Ballyconigar, near Blackwater. Famous for its soft sand, the sprawling dunes and endless blanket of marram grass are a magnet for wildlife.
PM
Enniscorthy
Drive from Curracloe Beach to Enniscorthy (30 minutes) and explore the town and castle.
To say that Enniscorthy Castle has had a turbulent history is probably an understatement.
The castle was originally built in 1190 by the Norman de Prendergast family, who lived there relatively peacefully for around 200 years. After this, the issue of who owned the castle became very contentious and was often settled with violence.
Suggested lunch stop: The Wilds
Stay overnight at Riverside Park Hotel
Dinner: The Moorings Restaurant, Riverside Park Hotel
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Waterford City
Drive from Riverside Park Hotel to Waterford City (1 hour)
Visit the Waterford Viking Triangle - part of the city’s cultural and heritage area, the Triangle sits in the original footprint of the early Viking settlement. It’s said that there’s ‘1,000 years of history within 1,000 paces’, with a trio of museums showcasing the city’s Viking, Medieval and Georgian history.
Suggested lunch stop: The Granary Cafe
PM
Annestown Beach and foraging experience
Drive from Waterford City to meet Marie, the Sea Gardener at Annestown Beach.
Marie Power has been running seaweed workshops and wildlife events for years, introducing people to seaweed and wild food foraging and beach cooking, the wider ecological web on the rocky shore and sustainable ways to forage.
Drive from Annestown Beach to Cliff House Hotel where you will stay overnight.
Dinner: The House Restaurant at Cliff House Hotel
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St Declan and Ardmore
In the 5th century, St Declan came across the village of Ardmore – it’s said he was guided there by a stone carried on the waves - and founded a monastery. Its ruins are Ireland’s oldest Christian settlement. Today, a number of sites remain of his monastic city.
The 4km cliff walk that starts and ends in the village is well worth taking to visit St Declan’s Well, where pilgrims have paid tribute for hundreds of years every 24th July, the Saint’s feast day.
PM
Coumshingaun
Coumshingaun is one of the finest examples of a corrie (or ‘coum’, in Irish) in Europe, and the Comeragh Mountains’ most recognisable landmark. A corrie is an armchair-shaped hollow found in the side of a mountain, where a glacier formed.
Here you can do the Coumshingaun Loop Walk which is a moderate 7.5km route around the ridge and plateau of this natural amphitheatre, from which you’ll get stunning views of the dark lough 365m below.