Eastern Ireland Overview

Those unfortunate souls who see eastern Ireland only through the windows of a westbound bus out of Dublin don’t know what they’re missing—Counties Wicklow, Kildare, Meath, and Louth deserve a closer look than daytrips from the city allow. The monastic town at Clonmacnoise and the passage tombs in Meath continue to fascinate archaeologists. The Wicklow Mountains offer spectacular views, and those too tired to continue hiking can head downhill to relax on the beautiful beaches. Not too far north, the tiny lakeside towns of Monaghan (see Northern Ireland) harbor the warmest waters in the northern half of the island. Most of the tourist industry is still in its adolescent stages, but the committed guardians of their respective local treasures help the homesteads and ruins come alive.

Hostel Hop across the spectacular Wicklow Way.
Improve Your Posture among the world’s tallest hedges at Birr Castle.
Size Up Ireland’s studliest horses in Kildare.
Solve the mystery of the Newgrange passage tomb.

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.