KILKENNY5 Driving Routes from

Detailed route maps, places to see & driving tips

The South East driving brochures were compiled in collaboration with travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile.

Pól has written for National Geographic Traveller, The Irish Independent and Cara Magazine amongst other publications, and has three times been voted Irish Travel Journalist of the Year.

“There’s something about the South East that makes

you want to get behind the wheel,” he says. “Be it

sandy beaches or craggy coves, wild mountains or

winding rivers, ancient heritage gems or the tingle

of excitement as you arrive into Kilkenny, Wexford or

Waterford. It could be old. It could be new. But there’s

always something different around the next bend.”

Kilkenny Castle!Kilkenny Castle!Pól Ó Conghaile

For full details on visitor attractions featured in this guide and a detailed regional map, pick up your copy of the South East Pocket Guide, or download from www.discoverireland.ie

Every care has been taken in the compilation of this brochure to ensure accuracy at the time of publication. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for printed errors or omissions, or alterations occurring after the brochure has been published.

KILKENNYDriving Routes from

The open road. Rolling mountains and river valleys. Brushing hedgerows, Blue Flag beaches, lingering lunch stops and random detours leading to discoveries you’ll talk about for years to come.

There’s nothing like driving in Ireland. And there’s nowhere like the South East for doing it. Within the space of a leisurely few hours here, you can cruise from cobbled streets to cliff-craggy coastlines, from fi shing villages to lush farmland, from heritage highlights like Kilkenny Castle and the Dunbrody Experience to buzzing pubs, delicious food and dynamic arts and crafts.

This is Ireland’s medieval capital, home to historic buildings like Rothe House and St. Canice’s Cathedral, but also to cutting-edge comedy, spirited culture and food worth travelling for. In Kilkenny, you can travel through several centuries in just a couple of steps.

From here, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Tipperary and mile after mile of tantalising coastline and countryside are just a short drive away. It’s a perfect base for your South Eastern safari.

The open road. Rolling mountains

leading to discoveries you’ll talk

The South East is forever happening – and Kilkenny isright in the thick of it.

Ancient caves, haunted castles and dramatic dolmens are all dotted along this drive. And there’s cutting edge art, gardens and a reptile village too…

Tantalise yourself with a taste of Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford - and all the countryside in-between – over the course of one or several days…

Follow in the footsteps of the Butler family, who dominated the South East for centuries, from their fi nest castles to a remarkable Swiss Cottage folly.

CAVES,CASTLES & GARDENS

THE URBAN TRIANGLE

THE BUTLER TRAIL

Route 2Route 1 Route 3

Route 5

Route 3

approx. 180 km approx. 140 km approx. 170 km

village too…several days…

A coastal drive from Kilkenny? You bet. The hidden coves and scenic wonders of Waterford’s Copper Coast are little more than an hour’s drive away…

Follow in the footsteps of the Butler family, who dominated the South East for centuries, from their fi nest castles to a remarkable Swiss Cottage folly.

Craft trails, stone-arch bridges, monkey-puzzle avenues and monastic sites are just some of the discoveries on this enchanting journey along the Rivers Nore and Barrow.

THE OCEAN ROAD

THE RIVER VALLEY ROUTE

THE BUTLER TRAIL

Route 4 Route 5

Route 2

Route 4

Route 1

approx. 170 km approx. 105 km approx. 215 km

An enchanting journey – be it a day trip or a several day tour. You choose!

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6

7

1

89

10

3

R700

R683

If you’re the town and country type, this is the driving route for you. The Urban Triangle not only takes in some of the most beautiful countryside in the southeast, it also provides a tantalising taste of the urban buzz on offer in Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny.

The Urban Triangle

THE URBAN TRIANGLE

Route 1

10 plaCes To see

Jerpoint Abbey

Woodstock Gardens

Dunbrody Experience

Irish National Heritage Park

Johnstown Castle Gardens &Irish Agricultural Museum

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5

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Tintern Abbey

Duncannon Fort

Waterford Crystal

Reginald’s Tower

Bishop’s Palace

Kilkenny Castle

Restored to its former glory!

Scenic viewpointR733

driving Tip

Heading east out of KILKENNY City (via R700), you’ll find Bennettsbridge,

Thomastown and Inistioge - the kinds of places you might pull into for a mosey,

and pull out of carrying a piece of hand-crafted glass, a scrumptious scone, or a

photo of an old, stone-arch bridge. Watch out for anglers too. The Nore is famous

for its salmon, and the R700 criss-crosses it at several points.

In NEW ROSS, travel back in time at the Dunbrody Experience, where costumed

actors and a three-masted barque combine in an interactive adventure evoking

famine times (you’ll even receive a ticket issued as if it were 1849). As you leave

the famine ship for Wexford (via N25), keep your eyes peeled for rocky outcrops

north of Newbaun. These are the plugs of extinct volcanoes.

WEXFORD itself is full of surprises. The combination of tight-knit streets and

airy waterfront, of old town walls and modern eateries, of Selskar Abbey and

skyline views from its state-of-the-art Opera House, create the unique feeling of a

medieval town in the 21st century.

After lunch, it’s time to strike for WATERFORD City (via R733). The Passage East

ferry is the highlight of this stretch, with tickets issued from a vintage machine

on the ferryman’s belt, and views stretching south to the Hook Lighthouse. It’s at

once a Suir Estuary shortcut, and a scenic detour.

WATERFORD is Ireland’s oldest city, and you can explore its roots in the Viking

Triangle, a new historic quarter housing the Viking Museum in Reginald’s Tower,

Waterford Crystal and a Georgian Museum in Bishop’s Palace. It’s not

all ancient history, of course – funky shops, cafes and festivals like Spraoi and the

Tall Ships ensure Waterford City continues to sparkle in the 21st century.

Depending on stop-offs, this route can be

undertaken as a day-trip or spread over several days.

It can also be shortened by taking the N25 from

New Ross to Waterford. Return and one-way fares

are available on the Passage East Ferry.

The Urban Triangle

All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.

180 km

1h 40 mins

1h 30 mins

40 mins

approx.

Waterford City – Kilkenny City

Total distance

TimeKilkenny City – Wexford Town

Wexford Town – Waterford City

Inistioge

Visit the old, stone-arch bridge

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345

9

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R430

R725

R448

R705

R712

R431

Ancient caves, haunted castles and dramatic dolmens are all dotted along this drive. And there’s cutting edge art, gardens and a reptile village too…

Caves, CasTles & gardens

10 plaCes To see

Dunmore Cave

Castlecomer Discovery Park

Brownshill Dolmen

VISUAL at Carlow

Carlow Museum

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10

Altamont Gardens

Huntington Castle

The River Barrow Way

Shankill Castle Gardens

Reptile Village, Gowran

CAVES, CASTLES & GARDENS

Route 2

VISUAL at Carlow

Centre for Contemporary ArtCentre for Contemporary Art

6

7

R725

Scenic viewpoint

driving Tip

The first highlight of this drive lies not on the road, but below it. The

spectacular series of chambers in Dunmore Cave contains some of the

finest calcite formations in Ireland, and some intriguing Viking links too. The

Annals tell of a massacre here in 928AD, and recent archaeological digs

have unearthed not just human bones, but a stash of Viking coins.

Back above ground, continue (via N78) towards Castlecomer Discovery

Park. The ‘Footprints in Coal’ exhibition here tells the story of the mines that

operated in the Wandesforde estate’s heyday, but there’s much more to

the place – including looped walks, a fishing lake, and craft workshops.

Proceeding towards CARLOW Town (via R431/0), you’ll pass the ruins of

Killeshin Church in the Rossmore Hills. It boasts one of the most beautifully

carved Romanesque doorways in the country. In Carlow Town itself, twin a lunch

and gallery or museum stop at the stunning VISUAL Centre for Contemporary

Art or Carlow Museum before visiting the huge Brownshill Dolmen outside

the town on the Hacketstown/Rathvilly

Road (R726). The 5,000-year-old

megalithic portal tomb seems to grow

and grow as you approach - it’s probably

the heaviest of its kind in Europe.

The N80 between Carlow Town and

BUNCLODY incorporates several stops

on the magnificent Carlow Garden Trail,

including Altamont Gardens. From its

February explosion of snowdrops to its centuries-old sessile oaks, there’s something

for all seasons here. Nearby, there’s a wonderful (and quite possibly haunted)

yew tree walk at Huntington Castle. Huntington Castle Gardens are a great

picnic location too, or why not stop by their lovely tearooms for refreshments?

Beyond Bunclody, carry on through the Blackstairs Mountains before

crossing the River Barrow at BAGENALSTOWN. A stop here opens

up a stroll along the towpaths of Ireland’s second-longest river, and

the old mills, warehouses and locks of its industrial heritage.

Two final suggestions before Kilkenny City are Shankill Castle Gardens

at Paulstown and the Reptile Village at Gowran. The latter is a mini-zoo

with a difference, and one whose monitor lizards and boa constrictors

you could easily imagine back in the depths of Dunmore Cave…

Depending on your stop-offs, this route

can be undertaken in full, or shortened by

taking the M9 back to Kilkenny City with

possible detour en route onto the R705 to

visit Leighlinbridge and Bagenalstown.

Caves, CasTles & gardens

All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.

Altamont Gardens

Ireland’s Most Romantic Garden!

140 km

45 mins

45 mins

1h 20 mins

approx.

Kilkenny City – Carlow

Carlow – Bunclody

Bunclody – Kilkenny City

Total distance

Time

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4

5

7

89

10

6

R691

R689

R689

R692

R660

Butler roots run deep in the South East. As deep as 1185AD, in fact - the year Theobald Fitzwalter, Chief Butler to Prince John, was granted over 400,000 acres of land in Tipperary. Fitzwalter’s title became the family name in the 1200s and the rest, as they say, is history.

The bUTler Trail

THE BUTLER TRAIL

Route 3

10 plaCes To see

Kells Priory

The Main Guard

Cahir Castle

Swiss Cottage

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Mitchelstown Cave

Glen of Aherlow

Rock of Cashel

Brú Ború Cultural Centre

Medieval Walled Town

Cahir Castle [left]

One of Ireland’s largest and best preserved castlesOne of Ireland’s largest and

Scenic viewpoint

R691R697

Ormond Castle

driving Tip

Setting out from KILKENNY City (via R697), whose castle served as the Butlers’

principal Irish residence for 600 years, this route stops at Kells Priory before

proceeding south to CARRICK-ON-SUIR. Ormond Castle here was built by

Black Tom Butler in the 1560s. The Earl was famed for his unnaturally dark

complexion (some even suggest he had black eyes), and his broodingly elegant

manor house is an architectural ode to Queen Elizabeth. Alas, the Virgin Queen

never visited…

From Carrick (via N24), continue along the River Suir and Comeragh Mountains

to CLONMEL, a bustling shopping town where James Butler built a courthouse

in 1675. The Main Guard’s glowing sandstone arches are just a taste of the

restoration that awaits inside.

CAHIR’s chief Butler legacy is an exquisitely-preserved castle on the River Suir.

The Earl of Essex laid siege to the stronghold in 1599, and cannonballs remain

stuck in the exterior walls to this day. From here, a short river walk takes you to

the Swiss Cottage, a Butler family folly whose rustic thatch and cedar shingles

contrast playfully with the Parisian wallpapers inside. The cottage ornée is

watched over by a stately yew tree, said to be 1,000 years old.

After Cahir (via R660), carry on towards CASHEL, where heritage gems range

from the Rock of Cashel to the Bolton Library and Brú Ború Cultural Centre,

before continuing towards KILKENNY City via (R692) one final stop at FETHARD.

The medieval ruins, remarkable town walls and scattering of Sheela-na-gigs here

will provide lots to talk about on your final stretch through the Slieveardagh Hills.

If you have time, a short detour will take you to

the Mitchelstown Caves (just off the N8, half

way between Cahir and Mitchelstown), a

jaw-dropping series of caverns and calcite

formations discovered in 1833. Conversely, if

time is tight, you can shorten the route by taking

the R689 between Clonmel and Fethard.

The bUTler Trail

All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.

20 minsClonmel – Cahir

25 minsKilkenny City – Kells

20 minsCahir – Cashel

45 minsKells – Carrick-on-Suir

1h 45 minsCashel – Kilkenny City

25 minsCarrick-on-Suir – Clonmel

Ormond Castle

A castle built for a Queen.

170 kmapprox.

Total distance

Time

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2

3

5

67

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8

9

10

R712

R702

R729

R703

R700

R700

R729

The necklace of towns and villages threaded along the River Nore is one of the South East’s most beguiling hidden gems. Road and river intertwine as you pass from one to the next, coming within kissing distance before shying away again. It’s truly a timeless drive.

The river valley roUTe

THE RIVER VALLEY ROUTE

Route 4

10 plaCes To see

Kilkenny Castle

Rothe House

Jerpoint Abbey

Jerpoint Park

Woodstock Gardens

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9

10

The Dunbrody Experience

Ros Tapestry

Duiske Abbey

Borris House

Reptile Village, Gowran

The River Barrow

Ireland’s second longest river

Scenic viewpoint

driving Tip

There’s no end of potential stop-offs on this route – ranging from river views to

heritage husks like Jerpoint Abbey, or the bustling shops and cafes tucked away

in the towns themselves.

Discover a deserted medieval town at Jerpoint Park, where you can also enjoy

a horse and cart ride, sheepdog demonstrations, a nature walk, or an elegant

afternoon tea in the tearooms. Or why not dip into the Made in Kilkenny Craft Trail,

sampling handmade candles in BENNETTSBRIDGE, the flour mill that serves as

Nicholas Mosse’s pottery studio, or vibrant ceramics in THOMASTOWN?

Continuing south through the NORE VALLEY (via R700), watch out for wading

anglers, or take a photo stop at a lay-by overlooking the Anglo-Norman Grennan

Castle. At INISTIOGE, don’t miss Woodstock Gardens, home to the longest

monkey-puzzle avenue in Europe, or the handsome 10-arched bridge. Unusually

too, Catholic and Protestant churches stand side by side in this village.

After NEW ROSS (via R729), this route swaps the River Nore for the River Barrow,

veering north through ST. MULLIN’S, GRAIGUENAMANAGH and BORRIS,

before returning to KILKENNY. The River Barrow was a motorway before

motorways existed, as the heritage jewels along its banks testify - from old mills to

monastic sites, from grand treasures like Duiske Abbey to the old towpaths now

serving as riverside walks. At St. Mullin’s, scramble up the old Norman motte for a

smashing panorama over the gorge and gravestones below.

Further north, don’t let the apparent modesty of BORRIS fool you. Borris House

was not only ancestral home of the Kings of Leinster, but to the redoubtable

Arthur Kavanagh. Born in 1831, Kavanagh was an MP, Lord Lieutenant of Carlow,

an expert sailor, prolific ladies’ man, superb horse rider and an adventurer whose

travels took him as far as the Persian Gulf. Amazingly, he achieved all of this

despite being born limbless.

You can read more about the Made in Kilkenny Craft

Trail at madeinkilkenny.ie. If you wish to extend this

route, follow the River Barrow north from Borris to

Carlow and take in a visit to Carlow Museum or VISUAL

Centre for Contemporary Art, before returning to

Kilkenny City, a 30-minute drive along the M9 motorway.

The river valley roUTe

All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.

Dunbrody Experience

Follow the footprints of Ireland’s past!

105 km

1h 10 mins

45 mins

40 mins

approx.

Kilkenny City – New Ross

New Ross – Borris

Borris – Kilkenny City

Total distance

Time

Think Kilkenny, and coastlines don’t exactly spring to mind. And yet, the hidden coves and seaside cottages of Dunmore East are little more than an hour’s drive away. Why not breakfast in Waterford City en route? From either stop, the Copper Coast is your oyster.

The oCean road

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R448

R696

R676R677

R684

R685

R675

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THE OCEAN ROAD

Route 5

10 plaCes To see

Waterford Crystal

Reginald’s Tower

Bishop’s Palace

The Metal Man

Fenor Bog

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The Copper Coast

Tankardstown Mine

Mahon Falls

Ormond Castle

Callan Abbey

Reginalds Tower

Waterford’s most famous landmark!

Scenic viewpoint

Blue Flag Beach

driving Tip

Little over an hour’s drive south from KILKENNY (via R448), a gem of a fishing

village awaits at DUNMORE EAST. Heading west along the coast (via R685),

you’ll come to TRAMORE, Ireland’s quintessential Victorian seaside resort. Drive

past the beach towards Newtown Head, keeping an eye out for the famous

Metal Man on one of three pillars at the entrance to the bay. The 15-foot

sailor was erected by Lloyd’s of London to stem the flow of ships mistaking

Tramore Bay for Waterford Harbour. Tramore is festooned with sandbanks, and

its history tells of tides and winds claiming one shipwreck after another.

The COPPER COAST (via R675) is a European Geopark named for its 19th century

mining heritage (watch out for the ghostly old engine house at Tankardstown). Take

a left pretty much anywhere here and you’ll end up in a hidden cove like Garrus

or Boat Strand, beaches that could have been airlifted from the Algarve. At

Ballydowane, the centuries-old remains of a mine shaft can still be seen in a sea

stack. Nearby, the horseshoe-shaped Kilmurrin Bay was once a smuggler’s paradise.

It’s a hypnotic route, strewn with pretty villages and stunning vistas. Think of

ANNESTOWN, one of the few villages in Ireland without a pub, the mining

boomtown of BUNMAHON or the old estate village of STRADBALLY, bedecked

with flowers, forest, and a sugar-sandy beach running alongside the River Tay.

Looking out to sea on the Copper Coast, you may even see a pod of whales…

After the Blue Flag beach at Clonea, consider breaking the journey with a

bite of lunch and a browse in DUNGARVAN, before driving through the

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS (via R676) back to KILKENNY City.

If you plan on hitting the Copper Coast in the

morning, it’s best to drive west to avoid the

sun in your eyes. The coastal section can

be shortened by taking the R677 north to

the N25 at Bunmahon. There are no petrol

stations between Tramore and Dungarvan.

The oCean road

All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.

The Copper Coast

See the beautiful vistas!

215 km

1h 15 mins

1h 40 mins

1h 40 mins

approx.

Kilkenny City – Dunmore East

Dunmore East – Dungarvan

Dungarvan – Kilkenny City

Total distance

Time

drive on the left

Yes, it’s obvious. Yes, everyone is doing it. But if you’re used to driving on the right, it’s easy to fall into old habits fi rst thing in the morning, after a lunch stop, or pulling back onto a quiet country road after taking that latest awesome photo...

heed the speed limits

The speed limit on regional (R) roads is 80kph/50mph, on national (N) roads 100kph/62mph, and on motorways (M) 120kph/75mph. In towns, the limit is 50kph/30mph.

get a good map

Irish motorways are straightforward. Country roads… not so much. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a reliable map (such as those available for purchase in Tourist Information Offi ces) or GPS in the glove box before you set off on your South Eastern safari.

safety fi rst

Whilst Ireland’s roads are improving all the time, N and R routes can still be thin and bumpy, prone to ice in winter, and may not have hard shoulders. For many drivers, of course, that’s all part of the charm. But it’s wise to adapt your speed to the circumstances.

The tractor factor

No matter how meticulous your plans, the chance of chugging along at 20mph behind a tractor, or being held to a standstill by a herd of sheep or cattle, is always there. It’s nothing to worry about (it may even make your trip), just be aware that it may occur!

driving Tips For yoUr Trip

Car rental tips

Most rental cars in Ireland are manual transmission, so if you prefer to drive automatic, stipulate this when booking. Rental companies provide numbers to call if you need breakdown assistance, and fuel tanks should be returned as full as you receive them.

Fill up

There are very few online services on Irish motorways, and petrol stations can be irregular between towns. Keep your tank topped up!

need to know

In case of accident or emergency, call 999 or 112.

park smart

You’ll rarely have to pay to park in the Irish countryside, but pay-and-display charges are commonplace in towns and cities. Keep some coins handy for the meters, and remember to check the signs indicating times during which on-street parking is charged.

don’t forget

When driving in Ireland, you need to carry a valid licence as well as insurance and vehicle registration documentation. It’s also illegal to hold a mobile phone when driving, so keep those calls, tweets, texts and Facebook updates for when you’re safely pulled in!

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WC

H

Police Station Small Airfi eld

Public ToiletFire Station

City / Town HallBus Stop – National

Tourist Information Shopping Centre

Heritage CentreAbbey / Monastery / Round Tower

Art / Craft CentreRailway Station

Place of InterestCar Parking

Taxi RankHospital

TheatreWalking Trails

Post Offi ceCastle

LibraryChurch / Cathedral

CinemaYacht Club/Marina

Map Key

Kilkenny Castle & Park

Butler Gallery

Kilkenny Design Centre & Castle Yard

National Craft Gallery

Shee Alms House / Tourist Information

Kilkenny Walking Tours

Rothe House & Garden

Smithwicks Brewery & St. Francis Abbey

St. Canice’s Cathedral & Round Tower

The Black Abbey

St. Mary’s Cathedral

Kyteler’s Inn

The Hole in the Wall

Town Hall/Tholsel

St Mary’s Church & Graveyard

Butler House & Garden

Talbot’s Tower & City Walls

Court House/Grace’s Castle

Bishop’s Palace

Johns’ Priory

Magdelan Castle

plaCes to see

Other Roads/ StreetsNationalPrimary Road

N9

Narrow Streets / Private Roads

NationalSecondary Road

N81

Motorway Main Roads/ StreetsM1

Road Under Construction

Regional RoadR860

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KilKenny City Map

www.discoverireland.ie

For further information on suggested driving routes, visit one of the region’s Discover Ireland Centres and speak to a travel advisor.

• Local & National Information

• Itinerary Planning

• Guide Books, Brochures & Maps

• Accommodation Booking

COUNTY KILKENNYKilkenny Discover Ireland Centre Shee Alms House, Rose Inn Street/ Mary’s Lane, Kilkenny City. t +353 (0)56 775 1500 e kilkenny@failteireland.ie

WATERFORD CITYWaterford Discover Ireland Centre The Quay, Waterford City. t +353 (0)51 875 823 e waterford@failteireland.ie

COUNTY WATERFORDDungarvan Discover Ireland Centre The Courthouse, Dungarvan. t +353 (0)58 417 41 e info@dungarvantourism.com

COUNTY CARLOWCarlow Discover Ireland Centre College Street, Carlow Town. t +353 (0)59 913 1554 e carlow@failteireland.ie

COUNTY TIPPERARYCahir Discover Ireland Centre* Castle Car Park, Castle Street, Cahir. t +353 (0)52 744 1453 e cahir@failteireland.ie

*Centre opens from April to the end of October

COUNTY WEXFORDWexford Discover Ireland Centre Quayside, Wexford Town. t +353 (0)53 912 3111 e wexford@failteireland.ie

DisCover irelanD visitor inforMation Centres

FÁILTE IRELAND

4th Floor Wallace House, Maritana Gate, Canada Street,Waterford.

t +353 (0) 51 312 700 f +353 (0) 51 312 710

www.discoverireland.ie

beautiful

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