Taking a Cultural Road Trip Around Ireland’s Ancient East

Where to find the major sites in Ireland’s Ancient East, not far from Dublin, where centuries-old ancient history lives in stone. 

Ireland. Its heart beats to an optimistic rhythm and one that is distinctively unique; a culture steeped in long tradition mixed with long adversity, where happiness dominates in spite of hardship. Pride in a land so beautiful, you can’t help but instantly love it. And so beautiful it may be that all are welcome to share in her glory, and no one is considered a stranger.

But when you visit, where do you start?

Dublin is a likely landing point, but did you know there’s ring of cultural and historical sites right by it, known as Ireland’s Ancient East? It’s accessible, steeped in the relics, ruins and foundations of Ireland’s first capitals and old strongholds. 

Here’s where to go in Ireland’s Ancient East to find the region’s top attractions. 

Touring East Ireland on a Road Trip

Being able to spend a few days touring on a road trip around parts of what is dubbed Ireland’s Ancient East was as much of a homecoming for me as it was a fascinating trip into 5,000 years of history of small but mightily pretty and culturally rich land.

There were times when a simple “welcome home” from a local would render me emotional or fill me with a sense of pride of being brought into the clan. “You are the child of a neighbour”, one even said.

Not far from Dublin, ancient history lives in stone. Ireland’s centuries-old stories whisper from the rocks atop hills and within grand castles, or remain alive in bustling old city walls. I went on a short journey through the southeast to uncover the Viking, Norman, and medieval foundations of today’s Emerald Isle, and a quest to find my connection.

Day One in Ireland’s Ancient East

Visiting Tullamore D.E.W

Starting in County Offaly, it was only right to taste the most famous export of the town of Tullamore – its fine Irish Whiskey called Tullamore D.E.W, where a tasting to sniff out your favourite age-old blend is a rite of passage. It’s the town’s most famous export from the Tullamore Distillery that rests beside the Grand Canal and dates back to 1829. I’m not a whiskey fan, but the blend with a hint of apple may have swayed me a little towards this Irish staple.

Yet Tullamore’s foundations go further than distilling, with an ancient ruin concealing stories of invasion and conquest before whiskey made Ireland famous.

The Ruins of The Rock of Dunamase

The Rock of Dunamase is a castle ruin that dates back over 2000 years, perched within the layers of uneven hillsides, surrounded by farmland and encased in crumbling stonewall boundaries. It started life in the 6th Century and after the Normans invaded in the 12th Century, was built over and used as a fort. I climbed its walls and stood within the frameworks of its old windows, looking out onto a new and prosperous Ireland.

A small group of us stood on its edges and pondered Ireland that once was, in a fort we had to ourselves – we, the curious type of invader, there to tell its story.

Step Inside Ireland’s Oldest Pub in Abbeyleix

No trip in Ireland is complete without an Irish pub or two, so it was only fitting on this trip to the southeast that the first pub stop was to Ireland’s oldest pub called Morrissey’s in the heritage town of Abbeyleix.

Back in the day, the pub wasn’t just where you downed a pint of your favourite ale or stout, but an all-stop-shop where you could pick up your groceries and hardware goods. The Irish pub was the centre of everyday life. Very much how it remains now.

From rock to pub, the next stage of understanding old Ireland is from its days of barons and viscounts and generations-long lineage of title and splendour.

Stay in Castle Durrow

An overnight stay in the 18^th Century Castle Durrow country home, was a chance to experience the noble way and dine and sleep within walls of exquisite interior design.

Day Two in Ireland’s Ancient East

Tipperary and the Rock of Cashel

Starting for Tipperary and singing the famous “It’s a long way to Tipperary” song on the way (which we learnt isn’t actually about the County in Ireland), we headed straight for the centrepiece of this area – The Rock of Cashel.

Cashel’s countryside is dominated by this mighty rock set atop a mound of limestone in an area known as the Golden Vale.

A collection of early Christian and medieval buildings, including a 12^th Century Round Tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13^th Century Gothic cathedral and a 15^th Century Castle, this complex of ruins is one of Ireland’s most well-known relics, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock. It was once a fort of the Kings of Munster for several hundred years and later given as a gift to the church in 1101.

Hore Abbey Ruins

Intrigued by the structure below, we visited the crumbling Hore Abbey that sits wearily in the grounds below the Rock. History lingers here in isolation and eerie calm, but from the Abbey’s spooky, unkempt windows frames, you’ll find an incredible view up to The Rock of Cashel from a distance.

Visit Waterford – Ireland’s Oldest City

The second half of the day was spent exploring Ireland’s oldest city of Waterford, where a Viking moored his ship over 1,100 years, giving Waterford the title of ‘where Ireland began’.

A city captured by the Normans in 1170, who set in stone the first layers of what we see today, The Old Town has become the site of the ‘Viking Triangle’ – a walkable historical trail that includes the colourful, artefact-filled Medieval Museum, the 18^th century Bishop’s Palace (recording Waterford’s history from 1700-1970), Christ Church Cathedral and Reginald’s Tower (housing a Viking exhibition) that stands next to a replica 40-foot Viking longboat. 

READ MORE: On the Waterford Viking Triangle – Visiting The Oldest City of Ireland

Day Three in Ireland’s Ancient East

Kilkenny for the Lost City of Jerpoint Park

The final day of historical digging began in the County of Kilkenny, with the fascinating story of a former pig farmer, Joe, who unearthed an ancient kingdom when buying a plot of land in retirement. Instantly, Joe became the appointed caretaker of Jerpoint Park – the 12^th Century lost, medieval town.

The town was established over 800 years ago before vanishing from all records in the 1600s, and the raised mounds of earth and curves in the grassland are said to conceal what was once a prosperous town including 27 houses and 14 Taverns. It’s the focal point though, is the uncovered Church of Saint Nicholas, which contains the very tomb of the famous saint.

READ MORE: Jerpoint Park, Ireland: The Farmer Who Unearthed a Lost 800-Year-Old Town

See Kilkenny – Ireland’s First Medieval Capital

From Ireland’s deserted medieval borough to the country’s first medieval stronghold, Kilkenny was one of my favourite spots on this trip. Once the great medieval capital of Ireland, Kilkenny’s 1,500 years of heritage runs through its laneways, famous old slip lanes, stairwells, walled-city gates, towers and stone-clad landmarks.

It’s a colourful and vibrant city to wander in with seven gates, a castle, nine churches, two cathedrals, and an impressive selection of around 70 pubs! The merriment that is known of this culture goes back to the ancient days of brewing and enjoying the ‘liquid sunshine’. But should you find yourself in a situation where it’s difficult to decide where to go, then head to the street where six of them are lined up in a row, or to the famed Kytelers Inn – the oldest of all in Kilkenny and at the centre of Ireland’s (and it is said Europe’s) only witch trials took place here in 1324.

READ MORE: The Kilkenny Medieval Mile Trail – The First Medieval Capital of Ireland

When I returned home, my DNA test results came through, placing a genome linage of around 4,000 years in this very country more so than I thought.

I’m a very small part of the 5,000 years of history I retraced in rocks and ruins and old towns filled with the sounds of old stories and song.

But for a short while, I went home.

Things to Know About Travel to Ireland’s Ancient East

• In European history, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. The Norman invasion of Ireland took place during the latter half of the 12th century.
• Wander through 5,000 years of history in Ireland’s Ancient East on Ireland’s Ancient East website. I explored the southeast region in conjunction with Ireland Tourism and iAmbassador as part of a campaign to bring the country’s centuries-old history to life. 
• Combine the east of Ireland with a trip with the Causeway Coast, with the easy connection from Dublin to belfast. Get started with these things to do in Northern Ireland to see it differently.
• If Ireland’s Ancient East is just the start of your plans, and you want further inspiration, the Irish insurance company Chill.ie surveyed 1,000 Irish men and women and pulled together a handy e-book on some of Ireland’s best cultural drives. It even includes one of my top hotspots listed, the Rock of Cashel, and other famous attractions like the Blarney Stone, alongside themed art and musical spots.