Ireland's Ancient East - Share your top recommendations! 🏰

Have you had the privilege of immersing yourself in the rich history of Ireland's Ancient East, such as the mystical passage tombs of Newgrange or the iconic Rock of Cashel?

If so, let's come together as a community to craft an extraordinary guide to the region! It can be anything (an experience, a pub, a heritage site, a village) as long as you find it valuable to share with future travelers.

To contribute, simply comment below with your best recommendations and a brief description of why they are must-sees and do’s in this region with over 5000 years of history. We cannot wait to read about your experiences!

Let's stretch the definition of Ireland's Ancient East somewhat and travel to western County Waterford, where you can find a wonderful mix of history, heritage, and nature, all off the beaten track.

Lismore is a heritage town best known for its castle, situated overlooking the River Blackwater. The castle was the birthplace of Robert Boyle, the Father of Modern Chemistry, and has welcomed many stars over the years, with Fred Astaire a particular fan of the castle. The Lismore Castle Gardens are highly recommended and a selfie standing on Lismore Bridge (with the castle in the background) is a great way to remember your visit to the town.

A little further down the road towards the border with County Cork is Ballyduff, a scenic village home to excellent salmon fishing and one of the best new distilleries on the island. The aptly-named Blackwater Distillery offers guided tours of their quaint premises, where you'll have the chance to sample some of their products, which include gin and whiskey.

Situated halfway between Lismore and Ballyduff is Ballysaggartmore Towers, which offers pleasant woodland walking and picnic areas as well as impressive architecture. If you are looking to experience a quieter corner of Ireland's Ancient East, then this slice of County Waterford is the perfect place.

A journey to Newgrange is something special! 

It is a prehistoric marvel nestled in County Meath. Approaching the site, the circular mound commands attention. Encircled by carefully arranged stones and adorned with a quartz façade, Newgrange stands as a very impressive structure. Constructed around 3200 BCE, it predates iconic landmarks such as Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza! 

Newgrange welcomes visitors to explore its historical significance. Guided tours provide really in depth insights into the construction, historical context, and astronomical alignments of this wonder! Tour participants have the unique opportunity to enter the passage tomb, immersing themselves in the ambiance of an ancient era. The visitor experience is enriched by the site's accessibility, allowing people to witness firsthand the artistic expressions that define Newgrange.

 As the sun sets over this historic landscape, visitors leave with a feeling of enthrallment, it's seriously an amazing place to visit and I couldn't recommend it more.