Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail

We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin, on to our hotel in Arklow.

Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail

Discover the beautiful Powerscourt Gardens, set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Sugarloaf Mountain and boasting a wonderful blend of striking terraces, fine statuary, ornamental lakes and a wide variety of trees. Designed from 1731 onwards and stretching over 47 acres, the estate includes formal walled gardens, distinctive Italian and Japanese gardens and the Pepperpot Tower, modelled on a pepper pot from Lord Powerscourt’s dining table!

We then head into the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which covers 20,000 hectares of stunning mountain scenery with vast sweeps of heather-clad moorland, hills, bogland, deep glacial valleys and lakes. The mountains are also home to a variety of wildlife habitats. We enjoy a scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains, passing through the Sally Gap before heading to Glendalough.

Glendalough, the ‘Valley of the Two Lakes,’ is home to one of Ireland’s most important early Christian settlements. Founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, who sought refuge in the area’s peaceful landscape, the site is rich in history. Start at the visitor centre before discovering highlights such as the 30-metre Round Tower, built as a refuge during Viking attacks, along with the remains of a cathedral, several churches and ancient stone crosses. On our way back to the hotel, we’ll make a short stop in Avoca, which is famous as the filming site of ‘Ballykissangel’ and known for its fine knitwear.

Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail

We start the day with a scenic heritage train journey on the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway, taking in the panoramic views as we travel along the picturesque banks of the River Suir and the beautiful Suir Valley.

We continue to the thriving maritime city of Waterford, where we visit the House of Waterford Crystal. Our guided tour takes us through the home of the world-famous Waterford Crystal’s manufacturing facility, where we learn how the stunning crystal is made, including demonstrations from the Master craftsmen using the traditional methods of mouth blowing, hand finishing, sculpting and engraving. After our tour, we enjoy free time to explore Waterford.

Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail

Enjoy a day at leisure today and make the most of the hotel’s facilities, including complimentary access to the Bay Leisure Centre, featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. Or choose to explore the town of Arklow and visit the Arklow Maritime & Heritage Museum, take a stroll along the riverfront or relax on the sandy beach. 

Alternatively, join our optional excursion to Wexford, at the mouth of the picturesque River Slaney. This charming town holds plenty of fascinating sights, from the well-preserved ancient West Gate Tower to the beautiful ruined Selskar Abbey, which stands on the site where the first Anglo-Irish peace treaty was signed. Here we take the opportunity to wander through the narrow streets or enjoy true Irish hospitality in the many bars and restaurants in the relaxed atmosphere of this delightful town.

Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail

Enjoy a day at leisure today and make the most of the hotel’s facilities, including complimentary access to the Bay Leisure Centre, featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. Or choose to explore the town of Arklow and visit the Arklow Maritime & Heritage Museum, take a stroll along the riverfront or relax on the sandy beach. 

Alternatively, join our optional excursion to Wexford, at the mouth of the picturesque River Slaney. This charming town holds plenty of fascinating sights, from the well-preserved ancient West Gate Tower to the beautiful ruined Selskar Abbey, which stands on the site where the first Anglo-Irish peace treaty was signed. Here we take the opportunity to wander through the narrow streets or enjoy true Irish hospitality in the many bars and restaurants in the relaxed atmosphere of this delightful town.

Waterford, Wicklow Mountains & Suir Valley Rail

We check out of our hotel early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore, a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.

Experience a Dublin city visit, where the River Liffey divides vibrant quarters of literature, music and conversation. Wander past elegant Georgian squares with colourful doors, lively lanes around Temple Bar, and the shopfronts and buskers that animate Grafton Street.

From Viking foundations to a confident modern capital, Dublin wears its stories on every corner. Choose museums, cozy cafés or historic pubs as you enjoy a free afternoon to explore. A more structured experience is available via the optional guided city tour at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Explore coastal Wexford, a compact town at the mouth of the River Slaney with winding streets and a handsome quayside. Pass the medieval West Gate Tower and the evocative ruins of Selskar Abbey, then browse local shops or settle into a snug pub for conversation and music.

Learn how Norman settlers, merchants and monks shaped this harbour community—once the stage for treaties and trade. This optional excursion to Wexford is at additional cost and bookable on tour, offering time to savour local flavours and true Irish hospitality.

Join a guided panoramic tour that threads past O’Connell Street and the General Post Office, the courts of the Custom House Quay, the collegiate calm of Trinity College and the Gothic presence of St Patrick’s Cathedral. Hear vivid tales that connect streets, statues and squares.

Your guide charts Dublin’s arc—from Viking stronghold to literary engine and revolutionary capital—revealing context often missed in a casual stroll. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, ideal for first-time visitors seeking clear orientation and well-told history.

Journey on a scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains, crossing the wild uplands of the Sally Gap. Heather-clad moors, peat bogs and glacial valleys unfold in broad sweeps, with mirror-like lakes and tumbling streams revealing why this national park is called the Garden of Ireland.

Visit the Glendalough monastic city, founded by St Kevin in the 6th century. Stand beneath its distinctive 30-metre Round Tower, and wander between the cathedral ruins, ancient churches and carved stones in the peaceful “Valley of the Two Lakes,” a cradle of early Irish Christianity.

Board a heritage train journey that hugs the banks of the River Suir, revealing meadows, woodlands and river bends as the line threads through the picturesque Suir Valley. Sit back to the gentle rhythm of the rails while the landscape opens into wide, honeyed views.

Running along a former rural route, this preserved line celebrates Ireland’s rail heritage at a slow-travel pace. Watch for riverbird life, quiet farmsteads and ruined bridges—evocative fragments of the region’s past—before the train eases to a halt and the countryside’s calm lingers like a soundtrack.

Join a guided tour inside the renowned House of Waterford Crystal to witness centuries-honed craftsmanship. Watch Master craftsmen transform molten glass through mouth-blowing and hand-cutting, then see sculpting and engraving bring intricate patterns to life under bright studio light.

Discover how Waterford became a byword for brilliance—its workshop techniques preserved and perfected across generations. Feel the heat near the furnaces, hear the crisp ring of cut crystal, and admire finished pieces in gleaming galleries that showcase the artistry of Ireland’s most celebrated crystal house.

Explore Powerscourt Gardens, a masterpiece of landscaped grandeur set beneath the striking Great Sugar Loaf. Stroll past formal terraces, ornamental lakes and fine statuary, and slip into the calm of the Italian and Japanese Gardens. Ascend towards the whimsical Pepperpot Tower for leafy vistas across County Wicklow.

Laid out from 1731 over 47 acres, the estate blends baroque symmetry with romantic woodland walks. Hear stories of aristocratic tastes and ambitious plantings, and pause for photos as mountain light plays across the lawns. Seasonal colour and distant hills create a serene, painterly scene.