ITINERARY NO.4 CULTURE & CURIOSITY IN COUNTY WATERFORD 2 DAYS 26 KM 7 POINTS OF INTEREST Journey Overview For those looking for a short break in a place that’s rich in culture - both historic and contemporary, a place that can educate, inspire and impress, a place that is easy to get around and cosy and comfortable? Ireland’s oldest city can offer it all. Strolling around Waterford’s historic core, its Museum of Treasures or one of the county’s fine country houses, its easy to see why people come here for peace and quiet, for culture and for romance. Street festival photo credit: Eadaoin Murphy photo credit: festival Street DAY 1 Route: Stay in Waterford City Points of Interest: Bishop’s Palace Museum, 1 KM 4 POINTS OF INTEREST Waterford Crystal, Waterford Castle, Theatre Royal EACH PLACE you visit on the first day of your of Waterford Crystal-making, here you can feel Victorian gem hidden within a beautiful journey is set within the wonderful, historic the heat of the furnace and marvel at the skill of Georgian exterior, is a jewel in the midst of centre of Waterford city itself. Start out in the craftspeople. Waterford’s Viking Triangle. the Bishop’s Palace Museum, one of three connected museums in the city. Take your time, From comedy to the romance of ballet, and savouring the many fascinating treasures on from the drama of a play to the power of song, show from Georgian and Victorian Waterford you are sure to be entertained by the theatre’s including rare 18th century paintings, furniture diverse and quality programme of events. and fine silverware. For lunch, try one of the city’s Michelin Guide and award-winning restaurants such as La Boheme or Bodega where quality, locally- sourced produce is always on the menu. Whether it’s the freshest seafood from The old-fashioned delight of afternoon tea Dunmore East or the most succulent lamb can be enjoyed in the grand surroundings of from the nearby Comeragh Mountains, this is Waterford Castle. Situated on Little Island, just affordable, quality cuisine served in a relaxed one mile downstream of the city, the island can environment. only be accessed by a short ferry trip, adding to the mystery and allure of this charming place. Synonymous with Waterford, a trip to the city would not be complete without a visit to the After dinner, why not enjoy an evening at House of Waterford Crystal which provides an Ireland’s oldest continually operating theatre intimate insight into the centuries-old tradition - the Theatre Royal. Lovingly restored, this DAY 2 Route: Portlaw, Kilmeaden, Kilmacthomas Points of Interest: Curraghmore House, 25 KM 3 POINTS OF INTEREST Mount Congreve, Waterford Greenway START THE second day of your journey A 10-minute drive will bring you to the the recently-opened Waterford Greenway. by heading north towards the wonderful wonderful Mount Congreve Gardens. Built Mostly flat, with some moderate inclines, the Curraghmore House just outside Portlaw. Set in 1760 by local architect, John Roberts, who 8km trail slowly winds its way along an old among 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodland designed most of the 18th century public railway track, through beautiful woodlands, and grazing fields, Curraghmore is the largest buildings in the city, including both cathedrals. alongside the sweeping estuary of the River private demesne in Ireland today. Suir and past the famous 8th century Viking settlement at Woodstown. Although not The most striking feature of the house is the accessible, the site can be viewed from the courtyard where the original castle is encased in bridge at Killoteran. a spectacular Victorian mansion with flanking Georgian ranges. With stunning historic Perhaps the perfect way to spend your final interiors, furniture and artefacts, Curraghmore night is to return to Waterford Castle and treat is still the home of the 9th Marquis of Waterford, yourself to dinner at the whom you may meet walking his dog in the award-winning grounds. Munster Room Restaurant. Built on a spectacular site overlooking the River With its Suir, Mount Congreve’s gardens are widely warm regarded as some of the finest in the world. ambience, Consisting of 70 acres of planted woodland fabulous and a wonderful, 4 acre walled-garden filled wines and rhododendron, magnolia, camellia and exciting flowers from every continent in the world. seasonal menus, the From Mount Congreve, you can head back in to evening is sure to the city on the Killoteran to Waterford section of leave you going home with a glow..