Beautiful Kilkenny & Waterford
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Port
Belview Port (Waterford), Ireland
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
12,All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$230
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 7¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Today's tour brings you to Kilkenny, capital of Ireland in the Middle Ages, seat of the medieval Irish parliaments, and rival to Dublin. The city's origins date back more than 1,500 years. The great building ability of the Normans is very evident in the many beautifully-restored 11th- and 12th-century buildings -- the most splendid of these being Kilkenny Castle.
Stronghold of the Butler family until just a few years ago, Kilkenny Castle began life as a Norman fortress and gradually became more domesticated through the centuries. The picture gallery includes portraits by Van Dyck and Lely. Your visit today will introduce you to the castle, its splendid antiquities, and the stories its ancient walls contain.
Next, enjoy some free time in the magic city of Kilkenny, and perhaps shop at the nearby Kilkenny Design Centre. Here, under one roof, you will find the very best of Irish design and workmanship, carefully chosen from more than 200 studios and workshops around the country. Everything has been selected with genuine craftsmanship and value in mind.
Relax over a traditional pub lunch at Langton's -- winner of the Pub of the Year Award on many occasions.
Re-join your driver and guide for your return journey to Waterford, which will take you through some of Waterford's lush green countryside.
You'll stop to take photos in the quaint Irish village of Inistioge. This is a charming village with a tree-lined square, lying in a pretty part of the Nore Valley. The Nore River winds between wooded banks flanked by hills and Inistioge has been the location for numerous films including Widow's Peak and Circle of Friends.
Upon reaching Waterford City, you'll drive along the city's quayside to reach the newly-developed House of Waterford Crystal showrooms. Since the closure of the original factory in 2009, only a limited production of crystal occurs in Waterford. The new showrooms and exhibition will take you through a reconstruction of the production process and the finished product is here on display for you to browse or perhaps purchase a memento.
Please note: Significant walking required. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The castle visit is self-guided.