dublin kilkenny drive

Leave Dublin via the Merrion Road and continue along the coast road to Dun Laoghaire, a major ferry port and yachting centre. A stroll on the pier beyond the yacht clubs is most refreshing.

Continue along the coast towards Sandycove where the small round Martello Tower houses the James Joyce Museum we turn onto the Sandycove Road and head for Dalkey village. Drive along the coast on Coliemore Road where we have an excellent view of Dalkey Island. Continue along the Vico Road with the superb view of Killiney Bay and Dalkey and Killiney hills on our right. Driving southwards towards Bray we turn right before Bray and follow the signposts for the picturesque village of Enniskerry.

On the outskirts of Enniskerry lie the magnificently laid out Powercoursts Gardens, developed over 30 years in the 19th century in the grand Italian style. They contain a fine collection of statuary, balustrades and fountains and are noted for their extensive collection of conifers from all over the world. There is a fine view of the Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance. Leaving the estate we take the road southwards heading for Roundwood, a small village dominated by the large reservoir which serves Dublin.

From Roundwoood fork right for Glengalough. En route to the monastic site we enjoy a pleasant trip over the peaceful hills and bogland dotted with sheep and the many small farmholdings so characteristic of County Wicklow. At the junction in Laragh we follow the road to the right for Glendalough. On our left hand side along this road we turn left into the carpark of the Glendlough Visitor Centre. In the visitor centre we can see the exhibition on the monastic life in early Christian Ireland and a short audio visual show on early monastic Ireland, followed by a guided tour of the monastic site. Glendalough contains a splendid round tower almost 1000 years old as well as the tiny oratory popularily known as Saint Kevin's Kitchen (due to it's chimney-like belfry), the plain granite cross known as Saint Kevin's Cross, and other important ruins. Enjoy a picnic just outside the monastery grounds or have lunch in the hotel or café nearby. Also enjoyable is a 15 minute walk to the nearest of the two lakes which gave Glendalough its name (valley of the two lakes).

Returning to Laragh and turning right we follow signposts for Rathdrum. Halfway along this road on our left, we see the smallest village in Ireland, Clara, with its church, school and two houses. Continue through the attractive village of Rathdrum where Ireland's 19th century leader, Charles Stuart Parnell, lived on the nearby Avondale Estate. We continue through the delightful Wicklow Countryside via Aughrim, Tinahely and Shillelagh.

Leaving Wicklow we enter Ireland's second smallest county, Carlow. We pass through the town of Tullow on the River Slaney and head for Carlow town. About 1km before Carlow town we follow signposts for the Browneshill Dolmen, situated on a ridge overlooking the Barrow. This massive dolmen, erected over 4000 years ago, is the largest in Europe and is estimated to weigh over 100 tonnes. Returning to the main road we continue on to Carlow town, a bright, modern town with a fine Catholic Cathedral completed in 1833. The town's courthouse is by the celebrated Sir William Morrisson and it has a Doric Potico modelled after the Parthenon in Athens.

The main road takes us on our final 30 kms of this tour to one of the finest cities in Ireland, Kilkenny. The city, situated on the River Nore has many notable attractions. Following signposts for the city centre and heading up John Street we pass on our left Edward Langton's award- winning pub/restaurant. Continuing over the river we head for Kilkenny Castle. A guided tour of this exquisitely furninshed 13th century castle, home to the Dukes of Ormonde for over 500 years, is available. Take a stroll in the 20 hectares of parkland adjoining the castle. The tourist office in the restored 16th century Shee Almshouse in Kieran Street will supply a map of the city and also offers a view of mid 17th century Kilkenny in its Cityscope Model.

We stroll down High Street and see some of the finest traditional shop fronts in Ireland. Kilkenny is also a good centre for buying Irish crafts. Also in High Street are the 18th century Tholsel (city Hall), the beautiful 16th century residence called Rothe House, now the museum of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society and the 18th century Courthouse. Further on is the second largest cathedral in Ireland, Saint Canice's (13th century) with the impressive tombs of Piers and Margaret Butler (Ormonde Family) on the right hand side as we enter the Cathedral. Climbing to the top of the round tower in the cathedral grounds we get a fine view of the surrounding area.

Total Distance: 195 KMS

Public Transport: Dublin/Kilkenny:

Regular bus services from Busarus and regular rail service from Heuston Station in Dublin.

Dublin/Glendalough:

St. Kevin's Bus Service departing from St. Stephens Green, Dublin.

Departures twice daily. Tel. (01) 2818119