Places To Visit

With over 120 animals in 50 exhibits, from alligators to geckos, rattlesnakes to pythons, Reptile Village Zoo is Ireland's only reptile zoo, fully licensed by the Department of the Environment. Your chance to get up close and personal with animals you'd normally only see on TV. Situated in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny, Reptile Village Zoo is suitable for all age groups. Ideal day out for families, individuals and groups. Only large groups need to prebook, otherwise just turn up whenever suits! Offering a hands on approach, the staff give you the opportunity to handle some of the friendlier snakes, lizards and tortoise. They also have a mobile education team, suitable for parties, schools, corporate events etc. The "Zoo to You" service is part of their conservation through education program.

Rothe House & Garden, a historic house in Kilkenny in the South East of Ireland, is the only example of an early 17th century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland. Built between 1594 and 1610, Rothe House is steeped in rich local and national history and a visit is high on the list of things to do in Kilkenny. The House and Garden are owned by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, and managed by Rothe House Trust. The House is open to the public as a Museum, displaying some of the 2,500 historic artefacts collected by the Society since its founding in 1947. These artefacts all relate to Kilkenny heritage throughout the ages and some date from pre-historic times.The Garden, newly opened in 2008, is a reconstruction of an early 17th century urban garden, and has become a very popular garden to visit in Ireland.

SeaPaddling.com offer sea kayak tours along Waterford's Copper Coast and is based just outside Tramore, County Waterford. Seapaddling.com allows you the opportunity to kayak on the most beautiful stretch of the Irish coastline. The spectacular sea arches and caves of Waterford's Copper Coast are accessible to anyone who can sit in a kayak with a spirit of adventure! No experience is required as the trips are all instructor led and all safety equipment is provided. In addition to our guided half-day trips they also offer introductory Irish Canoe Union kayaking courses for paddlers aged 14 years and upwards. Their sea kayaking courses are designed to make you a better paddler. Courses are tailored for those interested in learning sea kayaking basics, those who want to improve their paddling skill level and for those who intend to be responsible for others on the water whether as professional or recreational paddlers. Courses are approved by the Irish Canoe Union and certificates are issued upon the completion of each course. Activities include: Guided tours / Water sports accessories / Private tuition / Corporate paddles / Expeditions

In 1710 John Smithwick began brewing his first Ales in Kilkenny, Ireland. The site he selected for his brewery was a the site of an ancient monastery called ‘St Francis Abbey’ which is located in Kilkenny City. There was a long tradition of brewing in the place from the Franciscan monks that lived in the monastery since the 13th century when the Abbey was established with its own well and on the banks of the River Nore in Kilkenny. 300 years ago until this day the Abbey stands at the heart of the brewery and continues to inspire the brewers working there. Guided tours of Smithwick's Saint Francis Abbey Brewery are available. There are summer and winter schedules for tours. For groups of 12 or more there is a 20% discount. Pre booking is essential and we recommend that you call ahead for information.

Solo Arte are a leading Irish art gallery in the South East of Ireland. We are committed to providing access to the best of contemporary Irish and European art. Our art gallery has been described by Sunday Business Post Journalist Ros Drinkwater as being 'ahead of the game' in sourcing good art from all over Europe.

Offering panoramic coastal walks in the South East from the Hook, Kilmore Quay, Carnsore Point, St Helens, Rosslare etc. Our aim is to offer 1.5/2 hr guided relaxed walks with local info on history and flora and fauna, followed by tasty lunch. Walks and Lunch €20. Walk only €10. Transport €10 extra from Wexford Tourist Office. Walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Ring Catherine 086.1508498

The National 1798 Centre in Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford, tells the story of the the 1798 Rebellion. A spectacular audio visual presentation and state of the art exhibition techniques are used to give visitors a glimpse of our fascinating insight to modern democracy. There is a coffee shop on site.

The Saltee Islands, consisting of the Great and Little Saltee, St. Georges Channel are situated approximately 5 kilometres off the coast of Kilmore Quay Co.Wexford. The larger island Great Saltee is the most famous bird sanctuary in Ireland and is very popular with both day-trippers and birdwatchers. These Islands are privately owned and are one of the world's major bird sanctuaries. The Saltees are a haven for sea birds, nurturing an impressive array of birds, from Gannets and Gulls to Puffins and Manx Shearwaters. They also lie on an important migratory route and a popular stopping-off place for spring and autumn migrants. The Great Saltee also has a breeding population of Grey Seals, one of the very few in eastern Ireland. Up to 120 animals are present in autumn and up to 20 pups are produced annually. The Islands were once a magnet for pirates and smugglers but are now home to hundreds of gannets, puffins and seals! Permission for day visits to the Great Saltee, by courtesy of the Neale family, is not needed. Permission to visit the Little Saltee can not be granted due to the hazardous landing conditions. However we would like all visitors to respect these islands.

A guided bike tour of the Tramore region, using top of the range mountain bikes. This tour is at your pace, bringing you to spectacular locations. There are some off-road routes around nearby lakes and through forests providing some excitement to the trip. The Copper Coast and some secluded beach and cliffside settings are visited in a healthy and active fashion.

The Tullow Museum is located on Bridge Street and operated on a voluntary basis by the Tullowphelim Historical Society. The museum houses a huge range of items of a historical nature, to personal items belonging to the artic explorer Sir Earnest Shakelton, Fr. John Murphy of Boulavogue who led insurgents from the 1798 rebellion and was executed in the Square in Tullow, as well as photographs, bill heads, journals, and many other items from Tullow's past. The Museum is open on every Sunday from 2pm – 5pm. For further details about the Museum Phone 087- 2383515.

VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre is one of Ireland’s newest performing and visual arts centres presenting the best of local, national and international work in the visual and performing arts and a must-see for all visitors. The centre has 4 main exhibition spaces, and the Main Gallery is considered Ireland’s largest and most spectacular space for presenting contemporary art. The venue hosts a wide and varied range of national and international high-profile exhibitions annually. The centre comprises a 294-seater performing arts theatre, four principal gallery spaces including the main gallery, studio gallery, link gallery and digital gallery as well as theatre bar facilities, a full service restaurant and concession areas. The centre has won numerous awards including the RIAI (Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland) Award 2010 for Best Cultural Building in Ireland. <script type="text/javascript" src="http://output71.rssinclude.com/output?type=js&amp;id=421825&amp;hash=95932867f4c8358ed50e850ecbdffe83"></script>

Experience the beauty of the Suir Valley from a period carriage as you take in the panoramic views of the river,and rolling farmland of Waterford and across the river to County Kilkenny. The track runs mostly along the picturesque banks of the River Suir offering views of the world famous Mount Congreve Gardens. This is an area rich in history and only accessible by train. The rolling stock includes a restored Simplex Locomotive, which had an arduous working life in the peat industry in the North of England and Scotland. It was also used in excavating the Channel Tunnel. It now pulls two partially open carriages travelling at 15km per hour and can accommodate up to 90 passengers. The journey time is approximately 50 minutes. The railway is currently operated by a volunteer crew. It opens from April to the 30th September for the summer season. It is popular with both locals and tourists and appeals to people of all ages. All facilities at the Waterford and Suir Valley Railway are wheelchair accessible.

Waterford County Museum, is dedicated to preserving the history of Dungarvan and West Waterford. It is located near the Town Hall, features key area events, genealogy, maritime history and more. The Museum presents the history of Dungarvan and West Waterford through a series of displays and panels.

The Waterford Garden Trail highlights 15 different garden attractions throughout County Waterford. There is a wide variety of gardens open for viewing, ranging from the gardens of the great old houses, to smaller gardens and garden centres. The Waterford Garden Trail offers something special for both the novice and experienced gardener. Many days can be spent enjoying a rich variety of flora and fauna species, all of which contribute to the uniqueness of the gardening attractions on the trail. A number of the older gardens have been lovingly restored through the years, while the smaller ones are maturing beautifully with time.

Wexford Harbour and its Slobs are natural havens for birds. Located on the south-east coast of Ireland, they are the closest point for birds migrating into or out of Ireland from Britain and the Continent from a southerly direction. Waders and wildfowl in particular are attracted to the area where the flat landscape and the wide shallow harbour with its sandbars and mud banks provide safe areas to feed, loaf, roost and breed. From early October through to the middle of April, the North and South Slobs and the Harbour are home to thousands of ducks, geese, swans and waders making this a site of major international importance for wildfowl and waders. In addition, during spring and autumn, large numbers of birds on migration stop to feed in these rich areas. It's a short drive to the stunning Raven Nature Reserve - a beautiful place for a walk or cycle through mature pine forest growing on old sand dunes parallel to the sea. The Reserve is owned in partnership with BirdWatch Ireland, a national voluntary organisation and managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.