Waterford and the southeast

The southeast of Ireland brings together the counties of Waterford and Wexford, on the coast facing the Celtic Sea, the sunniest and driest region of the country. It was there that the Vikings arrived in the 9th century, and the Normans in 1169, and the history of those arrivals can be seen in the towns, castles and lighthouses along the coast.

Waterford, founded by the Vikings in 914, is the oldest city in Ireland. The historic center, called the Viking Triangle, lies between the quay of the River Suir and the old walls, featuring Reginald's Tower, a 13th-century circular tower built on the Viking fortification, the Medieval Museum and the 18th-century Bishop's Palace, and two cathedrals by architect John Roberts. On The Mall is the House of Waterford Crystal, where you can watch glassblowers and cutters at work. The Waterford Greenway, a cycle path on the old railway to Dungarvan, starts in Waterford.

West of the city, the Copper Coast is a stretch of about 25 km of coastline with coves, beaches and cliffs of volcanic rock, recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark, with the ruins of 19th-century copper mines. To the east, across the estuary, lies County Wexford, with the Hook peninsula and the Hook Head lighthouse, in operation for more than 800 years, and the town of Wexford on the Slaney estuary, with narrow streets, the Opera House and, 4 km away, the Irish National Heritage Park, which recreates 9,000 years of Irish history.

The weather tends to be more settled than in the west, but rain can occur at any time.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Waterford, Wexford.