On day 9 we drive a round trip from Kilkenny to the beautiful coastal town of Wexford. You can start the day with a visit to Kilkenny Castle, if you didn't have time for that on day 8.
From Kilkenny it is approximately a 15 minute drive to our first stop at Dunmore Cave, a series of limestone chambers formed over millions of years and containing some of the most impressive calcite formations found in any Irish underground structure.
The cave has been known for centuries, first mentioned in the ninth-century Triads of Ireland, which describes it as one of the ‘darkest places in Ireland’. The most gruesome reference, however, comes in the Annals of the Four Masters, which tells how the Viking leader Guthfrith of Ivar slaughtered a thousand people there in 928 AD. Archaeological research has not reliably confirmed that such a massacre took place, but finds in the cave – including human remains – do point to Viking activity. Dunmore is now a show cave, with guided tours that take you deep into the earth and even deeper into the past. A tour lasts around 50 minutes and costs €5.

We will drive on beautiful winding roads through the beautiful countryside of Wexford County, along the way you will see many beautiful spots where you can stop for photos, such as Inistioge. Park at Inistioge park and take a short walk through the park to Inistioge Bridge. A bridge like no other in Europe, where legend has it that a mermaid once died, where otters and seals hunted salmon and trout, where children were bathed in carbolic soap in the summer, where feuds were fought and tolls were collected, giving Inistioge a prosperity that has long since disappeared. Where once a large yacht ran aground and lay there for weeks until a high tide brought it back to the estuary.

From Inistioge we drive to New Ross where the SS Dunbrody Famine Ship is moored at the quayside. This is one of the top tourist attractions in the South East of Ireland. Centred on an authentic reproduction of an 1840s emigrant ship, it offers a world-class interpretation of the emigrant experience during the Famine. With guided tours, costumed performers and themed exhibitions of the highest quality, 'The Dunbrody' offers a unique insight into the courage and determination with which the Irish faced the desperate situation. Designated a Heritage Island Premiere Attraction and winner of the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award, this attraction is a must-see.

In New Ross you can also plan lunch at one of the restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the SS Dunbrody. After lunch we continue south to Campile where we visit Dunbrody Abbey Garden and Visitor Centre. Dunbrody Abbey was founded in 1210 and is one of the finest examples of a Cistercian monastery in Ireland. It is built on the site of one of the most impressive ruins of a Cistercian abbey in Ireland. It was founded in 1170 by Herve de Montmorency on behalf of his nephew Richard de Clare, also known as Strongbow, after the Norman invasion of Ireland. Today Dunbrody Abbey retains much of its 13th century church as well as extensive remains of buildings around the cloister. The transepts and their chapels are well preserved. The massive crossing tower was a 15th century addition. You can spend hours wandering around the maze, but we continue to Duncannon.

In Duncannon we plan a short stop at Duncannon Fort and beautiful beach. The fort is an impressive presentation of a bastion fort on the side of the beautiful Hook Peninsula, which is part of Ireland's Ancient East. This historic structure has collected many intriguing and awe-inspiring stories over its 450 year history and has one of the best vantage points from which to admire the beautiful Waterford Estuary.

There are guided tours of the fort, with stories told and beautiful views. Tours can be booked in advance on the website (see links in this review) or on the day. Please arrive 10 minutes before your desired time. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and costs €11. The beach at Duncannon is one of the prettiest and cleanest in Ireland and is well worth a visit.

From Duncannon it is approximately 1 hour drive to the coastal town of Wexford. Plan some time here to explore this beautiful town. Wexford combines a rich history, vibrant culture and has a wealth of lovely shops, restaurants and pubs.

On the way back to Kilkenny, just outside Wexford, we visit the Irish National Heritage Park. Here you can experience how people in Ireland have lived through the centuries. What if you could compare a settlement from the Stone Age with a settlement from the Viking Age and see how they differed and what they had in common? That was the idea behind the Irish National Heritage Park. A beautiful and educational end to this tour.

After this visit it is about another 1½ drive to Kilkenny on the beautiful R730 that winds through the Irish countryside, along the way there is an opportunity to stop to take photos.