10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Ireland’s Ancient East That You Shouldn't Miss

March 18, 2022 Leonarda Pillsbury

Discover the best top things to do in Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland including Sheep's Head Peninsula, Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum, The Wicklow Way, Terra Nova Fairy Garden, Nano Nagle Place, Russborough House, Lough Gur Visitor Centre, Bantry House & Garden, Garinish Island, Mellifont Abbey.
Restaurants in Ireland’s Ancient East

1. Sheep's Head Peninsula

Bantry Ireland http://www.thesheepsheadway.ie
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5.0 based on 509 reviews

Sheep's Head Peninsula

Reviewed By 223aineb

This was a walkers paradise. It was worth the long drive on the narrow road to the end of the peninsula. Some short walks as well as more challenging for the avid walker.

2. Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum

Derryglad, Curraghboy, Athlone N37 W1K8 Ireland +353 90 648 8192 [email protected] http://www.derrygladfolkmuseum.com
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5.0 based on 332 reviews

Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum

Open May-Oct incl : No trip to the midlands is complete without a visit to the Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum, which is hidden in South Roscommon in a land of lakes and rivers. The collection deals with Farm & Folk life in Ireland from the 18th century to the recent past. The museum is privately owned and run by the Finneran Family and houses a unique 25 year collection of over ,7500 items includes horse-drawn machinery restored to the original working order, tradesmans tools and buttermaking equipment, laundry memorabilia, old and rare washing machines, 1930’s old-style thatched bar & grocery, old-style sheep shears, radios, gramophones , shop dockets and bill-heads, sports display McCormacks photography room where the contents include dark rooms finishing r D & P line, B & W colour processors. as well as much, much more. its an ideal destina­tion for school tours, ICA Guilds, Ladies Clubs, Farming Groups, Vintage Clubs, Historical So­cieties, families,

Reviewed By astokes610 - Dublin, Ireland

Vert enjoyable experience at this museum. Everything so well preserved and presented you can see the owners have so much love and appreciation for the past. Was lovely to speak to the owner and hear how he has been collecting for the past 40 years. A great trip down memory lane.

3. The Wicklow Way

Wicklow Ireland +353 1 280 1899 http://www.wicklowway.com/
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5.0 based on 215 reviews

The Wicklow Way

Reviewed By Familiaturner

This area of Ireland is not to be missed. Very different from anything else we saw. If you start in Roundwood and take highway R759 you will go through some amazing countryside. Stop near Lough Tay and find the trailhead. (There are a few parking areas). You can take a spectacular hike on a beautifully maintained trail (much of which is raised boardwalk) and see amazing views in every direction. Then, drive towards Sally Gap. It's hauntingly beautiful and unique. So worthwhile. You can continue on to Dublin from there. Country roads (narrow) but typical of those in Ireland.

4. Terra Nova Fairy Garden

Dromin, Kilmallock, Limerick V35 V389 Ireland +353 86 065 8807 [email protected] http://www.terranovagarden.com
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5.0 based on 195 reviews

Terra Nova Fairy Garden

The Garden is Now Closed for the 2020 Season. Terra Nova Garden is a dynamic space full of the unexpected. Home to an exotic Thai House with tropical plantings, a magical woodland where pixies, fairies and other elementals live in shady places, sensational seasonal plantings throughout the garden, a Hobbit Tea House based on Bilbo’s Bag End and Ireland’s Largest Fairy Gift Shop. Become part of the adventure that has been enthralling visitors for over 20 years. Terra Nova - Past Winner of Best Garden in Ireland. Open daily 11am - 5pm (last entry at 4pm) until August 30th. Booking essential. 10am - 4pm to book your visit

Reviewed By christinecR7062MV - Sixmilebridge, Ireland

What a wonderful way to spend a few hours!. Tucked away in the Co. Limerick countryside, this magical fairy garden is a little peace of Heaven! The gardens are immaculately kept and the fairy story propels you to another world ! The added bonus of complimentary refreshments at the end of your adventure is very a lovely way to finish your journey....very competitive priced and should definitely be on your staycation itinerary !

5. Nano Nagle Place

Douglas Street, Cork T12 X70A Ireland +353 21 419 3580 [email protected] http://www.nanonagleplace.ie
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5.0 based on 422 reviews

Nano Nagle Place

Nano Nagle Place is a restored walled convent with beautiful hidden gardens and graveyards, the fab Good Day Deli garden café and design & book shop in the centre of bustling Cork city. Our state of the art heritage centre tells the extraordinary story 18th century Cork and how Nano Nagle worked tirelessly to educate the poor of the city. History, heritage, culture, great food & coffee, stunning architecture & landscaping and a very warm welcome await! Come and explore all that's good in Cork!

Reviewed By L8627DKchristinet

Just had a delightful visit to Nano Nagle Place. Even though we had to queue for lunch it was so worth the wait. The menu was amazing and the food delicious. Coffee is top class. After lunch we had a guided tour through the fascinating museum and rooms that Nano used to frequent. The interactive slides and videos are very interesting and informative. The gardens hold lots of surprises including water features and beautiful spaces. A lovely, peaceful oasis in the middle of Cork City. Well worth a visit.

6. Russborough House

Wicklow Ireland +353 45 865 239 http://www.russboroughhouse.ie/
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4.5 based on 569 reviews

Russborough House

A beautifully refurnished 18th century mansion housing the world-famous Albert Beit collection of art.

Reviewed By bethd60 - Fairview, United States

Our tour guide, Charles, was informative and more than willing to part with the family secrets as we made our way through this beautiful home filled with the most amazing furniture and art. This is the longest house in Ireland (700 fee of frontage) and given to the people of Ireland by the Beit famiy (heir to a portion of the DeBeer diamond fortune). Be sure tocheck out the interactive displays and 3D film in the basement. BTW we had a decent lunch in the cafe.

7. Lough Gur Visitor Centre

Lough Gur, Limerick Ireland +353 61 385 386 [email protected] http://www.loughgur.com/home/lough-gur-heritage-centre/
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4.5 based on 533 reviews

Lough Gur Visitor Centre

Lough Gur Heritage Centre is a community run tourist attraction telling the story of 6,000 years of habitation in the Lough Gur area. From Neolithic house sites to medieval castles Lough Gur has monuments from every era and the heritage centre ensures that visitors get the history/folklore and archaeology of the area from trained guides.The Centre also houses a retail space where take away tea/coffee, minerals, ice-cream and chocolate are available for purchase as are books and merchandise of the area.Summer opening hours are 10 to 5pm Monday to Friday and 12 to 6pm Saturday and Sunday from March to October and every Sunday during winter hours.The centre is staffed by volunteers and all monies raised goes back into community initiatives at Lough Gur.

Reviewed By LJC2013 - Ardrossan, United Kingdom

Visited here with my husband, along with the stones and a leisurely drive round the area. Been to many tourist sights in Ireland but this was one of our favourites. There is such a peaceful atmosphere at Lough Gur and not many tourists when we were there. Brian shares his knowledge of local history and brought it all to life. We enjoyed the guided walk. I bought a book based on memoirs of a lady who lived at the farm there. Great to read about a place I have visited. Highly recommend taking a few hours to stop here.

8. Bantry House & Garden

Bantry Ireland +353 27 50047 [email protected] http://bantryhouse.com
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4.5 based on 697 reviews

Bantry House & Garden

Bantry House and Garden is a stately home in southwest Ireland situated right on Bantry Bay with panoramic views of the bay and the caha mountains. The estate is owned by Egerton and Brigitte Shelswell-White and is managed by their daughter Sophie and her partner Josh. It has been in the family since the 1700s. The house contains original furniture and objects d'art. The garden is laid out over 7 terraces with a fountain, large wisteria circle and 100 steps leading up to the woodland. The house, garden and tearoom is open to the public daily from easter to october. The estate hosts weddings, music festivals and fairs. We have a separate review page for our B&B accommodation.

Reviewed By OttawaTrekker

We spent a couple of hours touring the gardens and the public rooms inside the house. My partner and I are both decoration and history buffs, so we took our time discovering the lovely interiors and really enjoyed ourselves. Outside, the views from the main terrasse overlooking the bay are fantastic and climbing all the way to the top is worth the exercise. The gardens and the grounds are quite pretty and a lot of fun to explore. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable visit.

9. Garinish Island

Glengarriff Harbour, Glengarriff Ireland +353 27 63040 http://garinishisland.ie/
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4.5 based on 792 reviews

Garinish Island

Garnish Island (Ilnacullin Garinish or Garnish) is located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, in Southwest Ireland. Garnish is world renowned for its gardens which are laid out in beautiful walks and it has some stunning specimen plants which are rare in this climate.

Reviewed By Morr2013 - Limerick, Ireland

Going to Garnish Island is a must. It is stunning. The ferry over was equally as good we got the Harbour Queen ferry company, lovely people gave great information, we got to see dolphins and seals up close, which my daughter loved. Walking around garnish Island was so nice and relaxing, and stunning to see.

10. Mellifont Abbey

Tullyallen 10km north-west of Drogheda off the R168 (Drogheda-Collon Road), Drogheda Ireland +353 41 982 6459 [email protected] http://www.heritageireland.ie
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4.5 based on 231 reviews

Mellifont Abbey

Reviewed By GearoidOO - Athlone, Ireland

This wonderful monastic site with extensive and interesting ruins is perfect for a self-guided tour given the high quality of the sign-boards. Hearing the chant emmanating from the ruins was quite a magical experience. There are no guided tours at the moment because of Covid 19 but we met with Louis who was giving out work-sheets to families - he was very helpful, invited our questions and was very knowledgeable. This is a great OPW site which is well worth a visit. It is very suitable for families, a great place for a picnic or family walk amid the well-kept and wonderfully spacious grounds.

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