The town of Thomastown, Co Kilkenny was home to members of the Woods family for generations. The main street has a few cute cafes and is the closest place to the hotel to find a gas station, convenience store, or pharmacy. Around the corner you will find O’Hara’s Pub and the River Nore. Other attractions include Jerpoint Park & Abbey, the Woods Menswear Shop, and Kilfane Glen & Waterfall.

Liz’s recommendation: Visit the Woods Menswear Shop, established by the Woods family in 1850, and where Liz’s great-aunt, Margaret, worked until the age of 87.

Brian’s recommendation: The Blackberry Cafe for a sausage roll.

5 mins from Mount Juliet Estate

Kilkenny City is a bustling city center with a rich history dating back to medieval times and continuing to make history as home to many championship hurling teams. Here you can find many restaurants, shopping, and historical tours. Attractions include the Medieval Mile, the Smithwick’s Experience, and Kilkenny Castle.

Liz’s recommendations: Supermac’s for a 99 and Carroll’s Irish Gifts on High Street for touristy knickknacks and souvenirs

Brian’s recommendations: Langton’s for dinner or drinks

25 min drive from Mount Juliet Estate

From its vibrant city life to its rural charm and stunning coastline, Waterford city and county have something for everyone! It is the oldest city in Ireland and it is the perfect blend of ancient and modern - or as we say: experience 1 000 years of history in 1 000 steps! Enjoy the historic streets and local atmosphere, take a walking tour or browse many local boutiques and quirky shops. Waterford is renowned for its exciting festivals and events.

Liz’s recommendation: Waterford Crystal

Brian’s recommendation: King of the Vikings Tour

40 mins from Mount Juliet Estate

Ireland’s capital and largest city, Dublin is a centre for education, politics, history, arts, and culture. There are countless sights, including Trinity College, Phoenix Park, Temple Bar, St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Jameson Distillery, Glasnevin Cemetery, and Grafton Street (stop by Brown Thomas to see the Christmas decorations and listen to the street performers).

Liz’s Recommendation: Take the Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off tour to Kilmainham Gaol

Brian’s Recommendation: Guinness Storehouse

1 hour and 40 min drive from Mount Juliet Estate

We recommend spending at least 2 days in Dublin

Known as The City of Tribes, Galway is a beautiful city located on the western seaboard of Ireland. So beautiful is it, that it was once described as the “Venice of the West” by well-known Irish poet, William Butler Yeats. Galway is a vibrant colourful city, recognised worldwide for its friendly people and welcoming atmosphere. Galway is second only to Dublin in yearly visitors. With it’s charming streets, shopping and nightlife mixed with culture, traditional Irish music and activities for all the family, look no further for the perfect escape. Attractions include the Claddagh, Spanish Arch, the Latin Quarter, Galway Cathedral, and the Corrib River. Stop into Thomas Dillon’s on Quay Street, makers of the original Claddagh ring since 1750. And if you can’t make it to the Aran Islands, The Aran Sweater Market on Quay Street is the place to buy Aran sweaters and other wool products.

Just outside of Galway City, is Salthill, hometown of Liz’s dad and current home to many of Liz’s aunts, uncles, and cousins. If you visit, take a stroll on the Salthill Prom, get dinner at the Galleon, and grab a pint at O’Connor’s Pub (featured in Ed Sheeran’s music video, Galway Girl).

Liz’s Recommendation: Taaffe’s on Shop Street for traditional Irish music

Brian’s Recommendation:

2 hours and 45 mins from Mount Juliet Estate

We recommend spending at least 2 days in Galway, and would add a day for any other day trips (i.e., Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey, Aran Islands)

The extraordinary Cliffs of Moher, undoubtedly Ireland’s top visitor attraction, tower high over West Clare’s wild Atlantic coastline. Standing 214 metres above the raging ocean at their highest point, the cliffs stretch for 8 jagged kilometres along the Clare coastline. And from them, you can see astonishing vistas.

The Burren region is a vast limestone plateau in northwest of County Clare. In 1640’s, a surveyor commissioned by Oliver Cromwell described the area as ‘a savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury’. Glaciation and wind and rain erosion have formed limestone pavements with deep crevices known as ‘grykes’. The porous rock is easily penetrated by rain water, which has gouged out an extensive cave system beneath the rocky plateau. The Burren, together with the Cliffs of Moher was awarded UNESCO recognised Global Geopark status in 2011.

3 hours from Mount Juliet Estate

1 hour and 20 min from Galway City

We recommending adding the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher (weather permitting) as a day trip if you are visiting Galway. Allocate a day for the excursion.

Located just over one hour from Galway City, Kylemore Abbey is one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. Kylemore Castle was built in the late 1800s by Mitchell Henry MP, a wealthy businessman, and liberal politician. Inspired by his love for his wife Margaret, and his hopes for his beloved Ireland, Henry created an estate boasting ‘all the innovations of the modern age’. An enlightened landlord and vocal advocate of the Irish people, Henry poured his life’s energy into creating an estate that would showcase what could be achieved in the remote wilds of Connemara. Today Kylemore Abbey is owned and run by the Benedictine community who have been in residence here since 1920.

Come to Kylemore and enjoy the new visitor experience in the Abbey, From Generation to Generation…..the story of Kylemore Abbey. Experience woodland and lakeshore walks, magnificent buildings and Ireland’s largest Walled Garden. Enjoy wholesome food and delicious home-baking in our Café or Garden Tea House. History talks take place three times a day in the Abbey and tours of the Walled Garden take place throughout the summer. Browse our Craft and Design Shop for unique gifts including Kylemore Abbey Pottery and award-winning chocolates handmade by the Benedictine nuns. Discover the beauty, history, and romance of Ireland’s most intriguing estate in the heart of the Connemara countryside.

4 hours from Mount Juliet Estate

1 hour and 15 mins from Galway City

We recommend adding this as a day trip if visiting Galway. Allocate one day to the excursion. Other nearby attractions include the seaside Connemara town of Clifden, former home of many O’Beirne (Woods) relatives and Clifden Castle, Connemara National Park, and many opportunities to fish, cycle, and hike in nature.

The second largest city in Ireland, Cork is located in the south west province of Munster. Another major city, and likely known by most Americans as home to the Blarney Castle, Cobh (where many Irish emigrated to the United States), and Kinsale.

2 hours from Mount Juliet Estate

We recommend staying at least 1 day in Cork, and would add a half day for each excursion if traveling by car.

With a rich history, delicious food, and unique wildlife, Kerry offers experiences for any traveller. Attractions include The Ring of Kerry, The Dingle Peninsula, Killarney National Park, Skellig Michael, and many opportunities for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Liz’s Recommendation: Visit the Muckross House

3 hours from Mount Juliet Estate

We recommend staying 2-3 days in Kerry

Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones tours. If you extend your stay after the wedding, you might just catch the beginning of the Christmas market. Of note, as a northern county, you will need pounds.