By train: Waterford Crystal, Kilkenny City & the Suir Valley

By train to Ireland's Ancient East

Enjoy a full day tour to a big chunk of Ireland's Ancient East - in Ireland's sunny south east. We visit the ancient city of Kilkenny or as it is known "The Marble City". We continue on to explore the historic Viking City of Waterford where we visit The Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre. The tour returns to Dublin via the lovely Suir Valley.

Check-in for 07:25 departure from Dublin Heuston Station, opened in 1844 as the headquarters of the Great Southern & Western Railway and is now the official principal station of Iarnród Éireann, Ireland’s national railway company. As your train departs, we travel in a south westerly direction, through Dublin's western suburbs and then through the lush fertile countryside of Co. Kildare. Our journey takes us through the Curragh which is famous for its racecourse, home of the Irish Derby, and there are many stud farms in the vicinity, see the best of Irish bloodstock training as your train passes. We pass through Co. Carlow, birthplace of the father of Irish Railways - William Dargan and then enter Co.Kilkenny.

At 09:00 we arrive into Kilkenny, known as the Marble City and situated on the river Nore. Kilkenny is a beautiful small Irish city. Most buildings are built of black limestone thus the name the Marble City. Kilkenny is dominated by its castle. A guided tour of Kilkenny by Road Train is included April to October. Admire Kilkenny Castle and its rose garden. We depart Kilkenny by train at 11:40.

We arrive into Waterford at 12:20, a Viking city on the banks of the River Suir by train and passes Jerpoint Abbey, 12th century en route. On arrival in Waterford Station we are transferred to the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre for a guided tour, where you will see craftsman engaged in the traditional tasks of blowing and cutting the world famous crystal glass. Our lunch stop is here at the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre (not included). You are of course welcome to have lunch yourself at any of the many attractive local authentic pubs and bars in Waterford city. We depart Waterford by train at 16:25 and travel west through the beautiful Suir Valley through Co. Tipperary. We pass Tipperary town and change trains at Limerick Junction for your Dublin bound express. You don't need to worry about this change as your host who has been with you since the start of the tour in Dublin will still be there to escort you onto the train and your reserved seats.

20:00 Arrive Dublin Heuston

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