Ireland - Youth & Adventure Buyers Guide 2018/2019

DAY 3 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST Travel to Castlecomer just outside Kilkenny City. Over coffee in their award winning café, decide which activity you’d like to experience at Castlecomer Discovery Park. Set in a stunning 80 acre natural woodland, there are walking trails, lakes, boating, fishing and high- ropes adventure activities; activities which will help calm the mind and also could get the heart racing if you so wish. Following your morning of activities travel to Kilkenny City and enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants the city has to offer. Or why not try your hand at a Bodhran lesson over lunch in Kytlers Inn . Explore by bike the wonderful Medieval city of Kilkenny with Kilkenny Cycling Tours. This fun and easy paced two-hour guided cycling tour will not only help orientate you but also help discover the many slipways and side streets which are dotted throughout. An essential part of the structural heritage in Kilkenny is St Canice’s Cathedral and its Round Tower. This ecclesiastical site was founded in the 6th century and named after St Canice. Climb to the top of the tower – the oldest standing structure in Kilkenny City. It is also one of only two towers that people can climb in Ireland. Travel onwards for dinner and overnight in Waterford DAY 4 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST Travel toWaterford and explore Ireland’s oldest city on foot, either with Epic Tours or Jack Burtchells’Walking Tour . Experience the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world, Hook Lighthouse . The present structure is about 800 years old and offers guided tours of the lighthouse tower all year round. Climb the 115 steps to the spectacular view from the balcony. The former lighthouse keeper’s houses now play host to the visitor facilities. After that, why not sample some of the Waterford Greenway – a spectacular 46 km off-road cycling and walking trail along an old railway line from the quays of Ireland’s oldest city all the way to Dungarvan. It travels through time and nature across eleven bridges, three tall viaducts and a long atmospheric tunnel, all the way from the river to the sea. Bike hire operators are in place to supply bikes for Groups and FITS. Overnight in Tramore or Dungarvan DAY 5 IRELAND’SWILD ATLANTICWAY Start your journey on theWild AtlanticWay with a visit to the heritage town of Kinsale , originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale (from the Irish, Ceann tSaile – ‘Head of the Sea’) is a picturesque, historic town and famous for great locally sourced cuisine! Hit the water on board Kinsale Harbour Cruises late morning, and enjoy a perfect combination of culture, information, relaxation and stunning scenery with a brief history with anecdotal legends and an insight into how Kinsale has developed over the centuries. Back on land, travel theWild AtlanticWay out to Mizen Head Signal Station, Ireland’s most south-westerly point. The Mizen Peninsula is very beautiful with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean from rugged rocky cliffs.Whales, Dolphins and Basking Sharks pass this coast and Mizen Head is a world class spot for whale and dolphin watching. Atlantic Sea Kayaking offers the visitor the opportunity to explore this rugged yet serene landscape. Kayaking trips are available every day for people of all abilities. Join in this evening on a Moonlight Sea Kayaking trip in one of the many magical locations in West Cork. Overnight in Skibbereen 95 Kilkenny cycling St Canice’s Cathedral Waterford Greenway Sea Kayaking Retitle to DolphinWatch Boat Trip off Kinsale