Waterford Crystal & Kilkenny City

Begin your day with a morning departure from Dublin’s historic Heuston Station, travelling southwest through the lush countryside of County Kildare and across the Curragh, famous for its racecourse and stud farms. Pass through Carlow, birthplace of the father of Irish railways, William Dargan, before arriving in the medieval city of Kilkenny, known as the Marble City.

Enjoy over two hours to explore Kilkenny at leisure. Highlights include the imposing Kilkenny Castle with its rose gardens, medieval streetscapes, and the charming riverside setting on the Nore. From April to October, a guided city tour on the Kilkenny Road Train is included, offering a relaxing introduction to the city’s rich history and architecture.

Continue by train to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, founded by the Vikings in 914. Here you’ll visit the House of Waterford Crystal, where skilled craftsmen demonstrate the traditional art of blowing and cutting this world-famous glass. There is time for lunch at the visitor centre or in one of Waterford’s many inviting pubs and cafés before returning to Dublin by rail in the early evening.