fi_11671_11 kilkenny driving routes - all (issuu - hr)
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5 Driving Routes from Detailed route maps, places to see & driving tipsTRANSCRIPT
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!
2
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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2
3
5
4
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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
1
2
345
9
8
10
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
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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
3
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
1
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3
2
4
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6
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8
9
10
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
1
2
3
5
67
4
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
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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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456
7
8
9
10
R448
R696
R676R677
R684
R685
R675
7
THE OCEAN ROAD
Route 5
10 plaCes To see
Waterford Crystal
Reginald’s Tower
Bishop’s Palace
The Metal Man
Fenor Bog
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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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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 [email protected]
WATERFORD CITYWaterford Discover Ireland Centre The Quay, Waterford City. t +353 (0)51 875 823 e [email protected]
COUNTY WATERFORDDungarvan Discover Ireland Centre The Courthouse, Dungarvan. t +353 (0)58 417 41 e [email protected]
COUNTY CARLOWCarlow Discover Ireland Centre College Street, Carlow Town. t +353 (0)59 913 1554 e [email protected]
COUNTY TIPPERARYCahir Discover Ireland Centre* Castle Car Park, Castle Street, Cahir. t +353 (0)52 744 1453 e [email protected]
*Centre opens from April to the end of October
COUNTY WEXFORDWexford Discover Ireland Centre Quayside, Wexford Town. t +353 (0)53 912 3111 e [email protected]
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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