Where wooded hills, quiet rivers, and ancient sites invite slow exploration.
Ireland’s Ancient East is a region shaped by human presence — a gentle, lyrical landscape where every step carries echoes of the past. Here, walking isn’t just a way to explore nature; it’s a journey through thousands of years of stories, from prehistoric tombs to medieval monasteries and hidden holy wells.
Trails wind through forested hills, across farmland, and along waterways where monks, farmers, and rebels once walked. The land feels lived-in and layered — with stone walls, sacred ruins, and folklore never far from the footpath. It’s not dramatic terrain, but it’s rich, intimate, and deeply rewarding.
Ireland’s first long-distance trail weaves through the “Garden of Ireland.” Walk past glacial valleys, mossy forests, and heathered uplands, with highlights including Powerscourt Waterfall and the monastic site of Glendalough — a spiritual centre since the 6th century.
Ireland’s longest greenway follows a 225-year-old canal from Maynooth to Longford. Flat and peaceful, it passes stone bridges, old lock houses, and tranquil farmland. Ideal for easy day walks, cycling, and spotting canal-side wildlife.
A landscape of legend and legacy. Walk between the Hill of Tara, Newgrange, and other Neolithic and early Christian sites — tracing short heritage routes through rolling fields, riversides, and sacred ground where Irish history runs deep.
Ireland’s Ancient East offers walking that feels timeless — not wild, but woven. Step by step, it reveals a quieter kind of beauty: one shaped by memory, presence, and the enduring path of history underfoot.
Curated stays for walkers, wanderers, and slow travellers — all within easy reach of the path.
Trusted tour companies offer self-guided walking holidays in the East of Ireland— with accommodation, luggage transfers, and detailed route notes included.
Choose a county to discover its trails, towns, villages and places to stay.
Start your walk on one of the region’s best-known routes.
