Ireland’s Ancient East

Ireland’s Ancient East

Enniscorthy, home of Treacy’s Hotel, is quite a historic town which certainly lives up to its Sunny South East expectations and with Wexford known as Ireland’s East, it’s only right for us to praise our exciting little town of Enniscorthy and the story it has to tell which is why we suggest making a break for it this Summer and travelling across Ireland to explore its infinite historic landmarks, Celtic storys, urban settlements and breathtaking landscapes.

The excitement surrounding Fáilte Ireland’s new label for the South-East, known as Ireland’s Ancient East, rolls out with the same ambition and scale as the Wild Atlantic Way which will turn the South-East into a touring trail. This will build on the abundance of our cultural and heritage attractions that we have to offer.
 
This will be like travelling through history while the aim is to offer tourists an amazing journey while enjoying the roaming landscapes and the ancient castles that they will find along their way. The Ancient East has over 5000 years or medieval history compacted all in a small area.

10 Quick Facts from Ireland’s Ancient East

1. Waterford City is Ireland’s oldest centre of continuous urban settlement in Ireland and is consequently Ireland’s oldest City. Founded by the Vikings between 856 and 914, the city is over 1,000 years old.
 

2. Muiretach’s Cross, Monasterboice. Co. Louth is Ireland’s most beautiful High Cross and West Cross, and is the tallest remaining Celtic high cross in Ireland.
 

3. Newgrange in Co. Meath is the best known Irish passage tomb and dates to c.3, 200BC. It is the oldest known deliberately orientated structure in the world.
 

4. Loughcrew, Co. Meath is possibly the oldest cemetery in the world and tells of Ireland’s neolithic cultures. One legend has it that the so-called burial mounds were created by a witch flying overhead and dropping pebbles on the landscape.
 

5. The Timahoe round tower in Co. Laois is one of Ireland’s most beautiful. It was built in the 1100s. Carvings of human heads, with flowing beards and moustaches, decorate the main entrance, about five metres from the ground.
 

6. Trim Castle, Co. Meath is Ireland’s Largest Anglo-Norman Castle. It is also the place where the film Braveheart was shot.
 

7. Ireland’s earliest known lighthouse is at Hook Head, Co. Wexford. It was first built in the thirteenth century, where it was maintained by local monks.
 

8. Ballitore, Co. Kildare is the only planned and permanent Quaker Settlement in Ireland.
 

9. Ireland’s oldest known bridge crossed the River Shannon near Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly. Underwater archaeology in the 1990’s revealed the remains of a great wooden bridge at least 120m in length dating from 804AD.
 

10. Lockes Distillery in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath was licensed in 1757 and produced whiskey for over 200 years. Now open as a museum, it is the only sample left in Ireland of a typical small pot distillery.
 
(Facts taken from Failte Ireland)

Treacys Hotel is run by the Treacy family who are renowned for their warm hospitality and friendly service. Our style of informal family hospitality promotes a relaxed atmosphere that ensures our guests receive a warm welcome and guest service that is second to none.

So if you decide to take the tour along the Ancient East be sure to get into contact for more information on your Irish staycation this Summer and make a break for it.

Visit Wexford this Summer and enjoy Ireland while it #FeelsBigger.