Ireland’s Ancient East is a landscape shaped by time — where wooded trails, gentle hills, and riverside paths lead through centuries of human presence. Walkers follow in the footsteps of monks, kings, and farmers, passing ruins, holy wells, and villages that seem untouched by the modern world. Here, the past isn’t tucked away — it’s part of the path, woven into every stone wall and quiet valley. This region stretches across Ireland’s eastern and southeastern counties, rich in heritage trails, historic landmarks, and lyrical scenery. It may not be as wild as the west — but it’s just as deep, offering a gentler kind of journey where history runs close to the surface.
Walk or cycle along Ireland’s longest greenway, following the 225-year-old canal from Maynooth to Longford. Flat, peaceful, and full of charm, it passes lock houses, stone bridges, and villages tied to Ireland’s industrial past.
One of Ireland’s most beloved long-distance trails, the Wicklow Way winds through the “Garden of Ireland,” past glacial valleys, heathered hills, and the early Christian monastic site of Glendalough — a place of pilgrimage for centuries.
Explore a landscape shaped by myth and memory — home to Neolithic wonders like Newgrange, the Hill of Tara, and ancient river crossings. Short heritage trails connect sacred sites, stone circles, and battlefields with sweeping views and living folklore.