The Sunny Southeast Tour Preview

Mount Usher Gardens, located in the quiet, picturesque village of Ashford in County Wicklow, was created in 1868 by Edward Walpole. It remained in the Walpole family until 1980 when it was purchased by Mrs. Madelaine Jay who leased it to the current tenants, Avoca, in 2007. The garden, which covers 9 hectares (23 acres) through which the Vartry River runs, is one of the finest examples of a "Robinsonian" garden in the world, and is home to many Champion Trees of Ireland, with as many as 5000 different varieties of trees, shrubs, and plants.

Mount Usher is a garden to visit at any time of the year, there is always something to see and experience. The Avoca Shop and Café are an added bonus to this visit.

Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens has a history that stretches over 800 years. Situated outside Wexford town in Ireland’s “Sunny Southeast”, it has spectacular lake walks, walled gardens, and sculptures.

Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens opened in the summer of 2019 as a brand new "3 in 1" visitor attraction – a significant addition to Irish tourism and Ireland’s Ancient East. Conservation and upgrading works on the gothic revival castle have been undertaken and guided tours are now available for the first time daily, including the unique servants’ tunnel at an incredible 86 meters long.

Tacumshane Windmill is the only surviving complete windmill of its kind in Ireland. Built in 1846, it features a rare revolving straw thatch cap to catch the wind for its sails. Because of its unique qualities, the mill was placed in the care of the Board of Works in 1948 and declared a National monument in 1952 when major repairs were carried out on it.

The adjacent Meylar's Bar serves excellent bar food and staff have further information on the mill and, time permitting, may organise access to the mill.

Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world. Originally built 800 years ago by William Marshal, (son in law to Richard De Clare - "Strongbow") The Lighthouse is accessible by guided tour from the visitor center. The view from the balcony on top of the lighthouse, with miles of sea rolling out before you, is spectacular!. Enjoy the visitor center with gift shop, art workshop, exhibits, and café.

The Dunbrody Famine Ship is an exact, working replica of a ship of the same name that traveled, primarily, between Ireland and America carrying passengers during the famine years (1845 to 1849). The original ship was built in 1845 and sailed until she ran aground and was destroyed off the coast of Labrador in 1875.

Construction began on the replica in 1996 by the JFK Trust and on the 11th of February 2001, she was floated for the first time. Today, The Dunbrody is moored at the quayside at New Ross. Visitors can take a guided tour of the famous Ship.

The Kennedy Homestead is the birthplace of Patrick Kennedy, Great grandfather to President John F. Kennedy. the 35th President of The United States Of America, and is still farmed by his descendants to this day. The cultural museum here plays a vital part in continuing to preserve the Kennedy family's legacy in Ireland and celebrates the story of five generations of the Kennedy dynasty.

The Waterford Crystal factory (The House Of Waterford Crystal) is located at The Mall, in the heart of the "Viking Triangle" in Waterford city. Visitors can purchase tickets for the guided tour of the factory at the visitor center (or online) for the next available tour. You can enjoy a coffee or a light meal in the cafe or peruse the shop while waiting for your tour.

The first stone castle was built on this site in the mid-13th century by William Mashall. (son-in-law to the famous Anglo-Norman Knight Richard De Clare - "Strongbow") The Castle was purchased by the locally famous "Butler's of Ormonde" in the late 14th century and remained in the family until the 20th century. (Except for a few years during the Cromwellian invasion in the mid-17th century.)