Ireland’s Ancient East occupies a part of Ireland that spans both the east and south coast. In fact, it covers 12 counties from County Louth in the northern part of the island to County Cork in the south. Rather than a fixed driving route, this is a region that you can discover at your own time and your own pace.

Love gardens? Head to County Wicklow, where you’ll find the lush wonders of Powerscourt and Mount Usher. Want to discover more about ancient Ireland? The Boyne Valley in County Meath is the place to go, while if you’re interested in Ireland’s maritime history, head to Cobh in County Cork, where Titanic sailed from, or Hook Head in County Wexford, where you’ll find one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world.

There is so much to do in Ireland’s Ancient East that it’s well worth taking your time and going slowly around the region. As well as showstopping sights such as Kilkenny Castle, the Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle, you can enjoy the world-renowned gardens of Powerscourt Estate, the tranquil beauty of Glendalough Monastic Site and the wave-lashed beauty of Ireland’s east coast.

Whether you want to relax in the great outdoors, discover historic cities or stroll through elegant manor houses, you’ll find something to suit all over the region.

You’re in luck because there are lots of ancient places in Ireland. One of the most ancient built heritage sites is generally considered to be Newgrange in County Meath, built around 5,000 years ago and located in Ireland’s Ancient East.

In County Mayo, you’ll find Céide Fields, the oldest known field system in the world, which dates back almost 6,000 years. But if you really want to peel back the years, try the Mountsandel Mesolithic Site just outside the town of Coleraine on the Causeway Coastal Route. This is the site of the earliest known human settlement on the island of Ireland, dating to between 7600 and 7900 BC.

Lots of Ireland’s towns and cities have origins that date back hundreds of years. Did you know that Cork city, in fact, began as a monastic settlement founded by St Finbarr way back in the 6th century? Or that Armagh city is one of Ireland’s oldest ecclesiastical centres and was visited by St Patrick in the 5th century. St Patrick liked it so much, he even called it “my sweet hill”.

Generally, Waterford is considered to be one of Ireland’s oldest cities, and was founded by the Vikings in 914 AD, while Dublin also originated as a Viking settlement and boasts more than a millennium of history.

Today, Ireland is divided into four distinct provinces – Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. But historically, the island was actually divided into five regions, known as the Five Fifths, each ruled by a King. These were Ulster (Ulaidh), Meath (Midhe), Leinster (Laighin), Munster (Mumhain), and Connaught (Connacht).

Meath today is part of Leinster in Ireland’s Ancient East. As a county, it’s home to a remarkable number of heritage sites, including Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site, Loughcrew Cairns, the Hill of Slane and the Hill of Tara.

To drive from Cork city centre to Cobh takes about 30 minutes, but you can also get there by train (about 25 minutes) and bus (about 25 to 35 minutes). Once in Cobh, there’s so much to see and do. Jump on a boat and sail out to Spike Island, known as “Ireland’s Alcatraz”, explore the town’s Titanic connections at the Titanic Experience, and take in three hundred years of history on the self-guided Queenstown Story tour.

The Rock of Cashel is around an hour’s drive away from Kilkenny city, so it’s very possible to base yourself in Kilkenny (where there are several excellent attractions, including the Medieval Mile and Kilkenny Castle) and visit the Rock from there.