Top South East Ireland Outdoor Activities

Step inside a reconstructed Viking house for a virtual reality experience that is the first of its kind. Located in the heart of Waterford’s Viking Triangle, this immersive adventure transports you back over 1,000 years to when the Norse first settled Ireland’s oldest city. Explore daily life through cutting-edge 3D technology, meet costumed characters, and discover Viking history from inside an authentic timber house built within the ruins of a 13th-century friary.

Waterford is Ireland’s Oldest City and the estuary played a pivotal role in it. It was the estuary that acted as a gateway for the early Viking settlers. Norman and Cromwellian conquests also feature strongly in local history as do events from both World Wars. The Port of Waterford was a significant international port for many years and there is a wealth of history to be discovered. The river and estuary are also vibrant bio-diversity habitats with a range of flora, fauna and aquatic life.

Explore southeast Ireland's sea caves on this small-group guided kayak experience from Waterford. Although you may not feel safe striking out into the ocean on your own, an accompanying guide ensures your safety and comfort. Paddle around the Hook Peninsula for stunning views that most tourists don't get to see and try your luck spotting local animal and plant life.

We are life time paddlers, sharing your passion, incorporating fun, learning and awareness of river and its surrounds. Your customers get personal attention and feel very safe and love your tours which are adapted to people's energy and ability. You will paddle double kayaks up and back down through Kilkenny and see historical buildings which dominate the City skyline. The tour can include white water paddling over a weir, playing in the rapids if that is of interest. If you prefer to stay dry, that's your choice of course and we do provide over-trousers to keep you pretty dry. If you prefer, one of your guides can paddle the double kayak with you for extra stability to ensure that we maximize your enjoyment and safety. Visual highlights include Kilkenny Castle, The Tholsel, St Francis Abbey, the old home of Smithwick's Brewery and St Canice's Cathedral. Hear about the importance of the Nore to Kilkenny and its milling history for centuries.

Every Thursday from March to October, delve into the beauty of Mount Congreve Gardens with a guided tour starting at 2:00 PM. Begin your journey at Mount Congreve House, just as the Congreve Family did, and enjoy an informative stroll through the enchanting woodland, fragrant walks, and historic walled gardens. Discover the estate's rich history through engaging stories shared by your guide, making for a delightful afternoon in one of Ireland's renowned gardens. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, and is suitable for all garden enthusiasts. - Scheduled guided tours every Thursday from March to October at 2 PM - Explore the stunning woodland and walled gardens - Learn about the estate's history and former owners from an expert guide - Maximum group size of 30 for a personalized experience

Get away from the hustle and bustle, and immerse yourself in nature, with a visit to County Waterford’s Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens. Named in honor of the Irish journalist Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, who spent many years in Japan, the gardens trace the story of his life: from its classic Victorian Garden up to the traditional Japanese Gardens. Secure your admission in advance, and choose between a self-guided or guided tour.

Survive an apocalypse in Waterford today with Zombie Scavengers! An app will provide you with a list of items needed to survive the zombies. Find these items in any order you'd like and perform fun zombie themed challenges for points. Come up with a system to get the most points in order to survive the zombie apocalypse. Your friendly remote host will help you throughout the game via chat. Get enough points to survive the zombie apocalypse in Waterford today!

Discover the history behind Lismore Castle in County Waterford during a tour complete with augmented reality. Visit this heritage site to see the castle and check out modern day technology that provides an immersive experience into the castle’s history. This technology provides a 360-degree view of Lismore Castle back to the 12th century.

Take a boat tour to see Hook Lighthouse from the Sea! We will take you on a breath-taking guided boat tour of the Waterford and Wexford Coastline, where you will enjoy tales of Vikings and smugglers as well as meeting first hand some of the marine life that we share the coast with.If you are lucky, you will see dolphins and seals, and plenty of sea birds. The Waterford and Wexford coast is steeped in Maritime History, you will hear where the term 'By Hook or by Crooke' came from, how in 1645 Irish rebels fought and sank the flagship of the English Navy, still lying today beneath the sands. Visit a sea cave where ancient people brought the bones of their dead to enable their passage to the other world, and to top your tour off, some high speed manoeuvres in our Rigid Inflatable Boat - 'Vadrefjord' Boat tour - approximately 1 hour on the water, a safety brief is mandatory prior to boarding. Arrive 30 minutes before your tour time to allow for equipment allocation and safety brief.

We are life time paddlers, sharing our passion, incorporating fun, learning and awareness of river and its surrounds . Our customers get personal attention and feel very safe and love our tours which are adapted to peoples energy and ability. You will paddle double kayaks up and back down through Kilkenny and see historical buildings which dominate the the City skyline. The tour can include white water paddling over a weir, playing in the rapids if that is of interest. If you prefer to stay dry, that's your choice of course and we do provide over-trousers to keep you pretty dry. If you prefer, one of our guides can paddle the double kayak with you for extra stability to ensure that we maximise your enjoyment and safety. Visual highlights include Kilkenny Castle, The Tholsel, St Francis Abbey, the old home of Smithwick's Brewery and St Canice's Cathedral. Hear about the importance of the Nore to Kilkenny and its milling history for centuries.

Explore the forest of County Wexford with a guide during this small-group woodland tour. Set out on a low-impact walk in the woods and learn about Irish folklore and ancient Celtic history. Do some light foraging, hear stories about how trees communicate, and learn about local traditions including which plants have been used as medicine.

Explore the stunning Mount Congreve Gardens aboard an 8-seater golf buggy on this relaxing 40-minute tour. Let an experienced driver guide you through picturesque woodlands and the scenic Herman Dool walk, making this an enjoyable outing for families and those with reduced mobility. Perfect for travelers looking to soak in the natural beauty without the strain of walking. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the buggy accommodates up to seven guests plus the driver for an intimate experience. - 40-minute guided loop of Mount Congreve Gardens - Suitable for families and individuals with reduced mobility - Max capacity of 7 passengers plus driver - Children must be accompanied by an adult

Explore the Wild Atlantic Way by private car during this full-day tour to see the Cliffs of Moher. Get picked up at the address of your choice and set out on a tour to experience the best of the west of Ireland. In addition to seeing the famous Cliffs of Moher from the top, climb aboard a boat in the village of Doolin to admire the cliffs from below. See castles, rugged landscapes, the River Shannon, and more during this private tour.

At Hurling Tours Ireland, we provide a unique cultural Irish experience for visitors. Established in the home of hurling, Kilkenny, we give guests an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in Irish culture, by attempting our most ancient sport, hurling. Hurling is a game steeped in tradition and history, played with a passion and intensity that is unmatched in any other sport. Our hurling experience in Freshford gives visitors the opportunity to experience this sport in a tradional Irish pub in the heart of the village. Here we give visitors a presentation information them of the history and rules of Hurling. We have had visitors from many different nationalities and backgrounds fall in love with Hurling and the culture it creates in Ireland. Visitors from Canada, USA and Australia even promising to join a GAA Club when they return home, it is never too late to try new things and why not the sport that is at the heart of Irish culture and community.

Maximum group size is 6, so you will get a personalised experience. You will get to explore some of the lesser travelled (and therefore quiet!) roads in the Lough Derg area, seeing great views of the lake and the surrounding hills. You will also hear of some of the history of the area, along with information about the historic buildings and the places around the lake shore. Please note that I am open to variations in the route if there is something in particular a group wants to see.

A delightful outing awaits as you paddle the scenic Nore River from Kilkenny to Bennetsbridge. This 10km journey is perfect for families and friends, offering a blend of fun and relaxation. Begin your day at the Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club with a coffee, before hitting the water at 11:15 AM. Enjoy a leisurely paddle, including a lunch break where you can savor your own snacks while enjoying tea or filter coffee prepared with a Kelly Kettle. The trip concludes around 4 PM, allowing ample time to unwind at a nearby coffee shop.

Explore the enchanting landscapes of Lough Derg while uncovering the childhood haunts of Shane MacGowan during this immersive eBike tour. Pedal through picturesque North Tipperary, visiting iconic sites like the Shane MacGowan murals in Nenagh, the family homelands in Carney and the Lough Derg shore at Skehanagh. With routes ranging from 33km to 62km, each option offers a unique glimpse into Shane's formative years and the musical inspirations drawn from this beautiful region. Perfect for music lovers and cycling enthusiasts alike, this tour combines rich cultural history with stunning scenery, all at a pace that suits you. - Choose from various routes: 2.5 to 4 hours covering 33 to 62 km - Visit significant landmarks tied to Shane's life and music - Enjoy comfortable eBikes tailored to your riding ability - End the tour with a drink at one of Shane's favourite spots in Nenagh or Borrisokane.