Honeymoon in Ireland's Ancient East

Wednesday 5th March – Friday 14th March 2025

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Overview

Rich in ancient history and shaped by the folklore of the past generations, explore the underrated mountain and coastal scenery in Ireland’s Ancient East on this private self-drive tour. Stepping into Ireland’s golden age of saints and scholars and travelling through 5,000 years of history, enjoy a range of activities and experiences on your Irish honeymoon to the Ancient East.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Wednesday 5th March | Welcome to Dublin | Overnight: Dublin 2

Day 2 | Thursday 6th March | Lough Bray | Overnight: Aughrim

Day 3 | Friday 7th March | Glendalough Monastic Site | Overnight: Aughrim

Day 4 | Saturday 8th March | Waterford Crystal | Overnight: Waterford

Day 5 | Sunday 9th March | Dunmore East Cliff Walk | Overnight: Waterford

Day 6 | Monday 10th March | The Wilds of the South West | Overnight: Clonakilty

Day 7 | Tuesday 11th March | Whale Watching in West Cork | Overnight: Clonakilty

Day 8 | Wednesday 12th March | Clonakilty | Overnight: Clonakilty

Day 9 | Thursday 13th March | Return to Dublin | Overnight: Dublin 2

Day 10 | Friday 14th March | Depart

Day by Day

Day 1 - Wednesday 5th March - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your boutique hotel. Check-in is at 3 pm however feel free to drop your bags, freshen up and grab a bite to eat before heading out in the afternoon to enjoy a walking tour with a local private guide through this vibrant capital city. With its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the mediaeval to Georgian to modern, you’ll see the Georgian style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, as well as O’Connell Street, the site of the ‘1916 Uprising’ that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. Your guide is also a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by.

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Alex Hotel
Room Type: x1 Classic King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Thursday 6th March - Lough Bray

This morning, it is time to pick up your rental car and trade the bustle and liveliness of Dublin for the quiet lakes and sun-dappled hills of Wicklow. Our first hiking recommendation takes you into the Wicklow Mountains National Park to Lough Bray. Lough Bray never gets the attention it deserves as one of Wicklow’s great easy-moderate trails, and on a clear day the Eagles Crag viewpoint is a fantastic vantage point to see the Sugarloaf, Bray, Greystones, and out to the Irish sea. After your hike, we recommend grabbing lunch in Bray village before heading to your accommodation, a 4-star eco-lodge and one of our favourite locations in Wicklow.

Overnight: Aughrim | BrookLodge
Room Type: x1 classic double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 7 km / 4 miles

Day 3 - Friday 7th March - Glendalough Monastic Site

Glendalough Monastery is one of the oldest and most significant monastic and pilgrimage sites in Ireland. Founded by St Kevin in the 7th century as a respite from the world, it eventually grew into an important centre of learning, its scholars producing astonishing illuminated manuscripts as well as astronomical and mathematical texts. Not only is Glendalough’s history intriguing, but its setting in the lush wooded valley of two lakes is stunning. You will visit the monastic site where you’ll meet with a local folklorist who will fill you in on the history and mythology of this ancient valley. Afterwards, we recommend one of the looped trails surrounding the valley.

Overnight: Aughrim | BrookLodge
Room Type: x1 classic double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Saturday 8th March - Waterford Crystal

You’ll travel south today and into Waterford, a city with a strong mediaeval heritage. Here, you’ll visit the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory where you’ll enjoy a private tour and a look into the craftsmanship behind the wonderful glass and indulge in a delicious afternoon tea onsite. We recommend a stroll around town this afternoon, the Medieval Quarter offers a glimpse of Waterford’s Viking, Norman and Georgian past. This compact city is rich in both history and modern charm, making for a delightful experience.

Overnight: Waterford | Faithlegg House
Room Type: x1 classic double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Sunday 9th March - Dunmore East Cliff Walk

Dún Mór, anglicized to Dunmore, means “big fort” in Irish and is one of the south coast’s best cliff walks. The trail runs from the seaside and fishing village of Dunmore East and provides stunning views across Hook Head and Hook Lighthouse. This trail is well-marked and includes steps, small footbridges and stiles. Unlike some cliff walks, this trail (for the most part) is set back from the clifftop itself, giving all of the views, but none of the vertigo! Looking out at sea, you might see whales passing or some seals basking on the rocks at the base of the cliffs. We recommend taking a packed lunch and finding a bench halfway for a scenic meal!

Overnight: Waterford | Faithlegg House
Room Type: x1 classic double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 14 km / 9 miles

Day 6 - Monday 10th March - The Wilds of the South West

You have a scenic 3-hour drive ahead of you this morning as you head further west into what is known as the Rebel County, Cork. We recommend breaking up the drive by stopping in the cosmopolitan Cork City, the original capital of Ireland. The English Market there, trading since 1788,  is the oldest in Europe and has survived famine, floods, and wars. Grab a bite to eat here before continuing to your accommodation, nestled on the beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Overnight: Clonakilty | Inchydoney Island Lodge
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Balcony Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Tuesday 11th March - Whale Watching in West Cork

The Irish Government declared the coastal waters of Ireland a Whale and Dolphin sanctuary during the early 1990s, the first of its kind in Europe. Since then it has been one of the must-do’s when visiting the southwest coast of Ireland. You’ll meet your skipper at Courtmacsherry Harbour where, in the clear untouched water, it’s easy to spot dolphins, whales, and all kinds of fish. Sail the waterways looking for these majestic animals. Back on the mainland, you can opt for a coastal hike if time and energy levels allow. 

Overnight: Clonakilty | Inchydoney Island Lodge
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Balcony Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Wednesday 12th March - Clonakilty

As today is your last in West Cork, we recommend heading into Clonakilty, a vibrant town known throughout Ireland as the home of black pudding (try it)! We recommend visiting the Michael Collins House Museum, which is dedicated to the revolutionary leader, soldier and politician, who fought for Ireland’s independence against the British. Other options include booking a surf lesson at your hotel or relaxing in the spa – it is your honeymoon after all!

Overnight: Clonakilty | Inchydoney Island Lodge
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Balcony Room

Day 9 - Thursday 13th March - Return to Dublin

This morning, you’ll bid farewell to Ireland’s South as you make your way back to Dublin. Your cultural exploration continues en route as we have booked you tickets to the imposing Rock of Cashel, a complex of medieval buildings sitting in a picturesque spot above the town. Enjoy lunch here before returning to Ireland’s Fair City. For your final night in Ireland, we recommend having dinner in one of Dublin’s many award-winning restaurants before a couple of drinks in the famous Temple Bar district – don’t spend too long there as we’ll recommend some of our favourite authentic pubs too!

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Alex Hotel
Room Type: x1 classic double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Friday 14th March - Depart

This morning, drop your rental car at Dublin Airport and it’s time to board your flight home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores once again.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 10
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Car Rental from Day 2 to Day 10
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Private historical walking tour in Dublin
  • Private Folklorist at Glendalough Monastery
  • Private Tour of Waterford Crystal
  • Afternoon Tea Experience
  • Private Whale-Watching Experience
  • Entry to The Rock of Cashel
  • Maps & Guidebooks for your trip
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • 24-hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for experience providers
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking
  • A 25% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision
Pricing Read More

The price of this trip is €4,150 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.

Get in Touch

Email Cathriona
Virtuoso

Honeymoon in Ireland’s Ancient East

Wednesday 5th March – Friday 14th March 2025