Ph: +353 (89) 654 1495 or email: info@thenestkiladangan.ie

There are stunning destinations with natural beauty and rich Irish history, all easily reached from The Nest as day trips, plus great shopping spots.

Unforgettable adventures and rich culture are just a short drive away!
If you would like some help to create the ideal itinerary, contact us at info@thenestkiladangan.ie. We’re here to help you create a memorable trip.

Nature Immersed Day Trips from The Nest

Below are some recommended itineraries to enhance your stay at the Nest. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@thenestkiladangan.ie

Lap The Lake – Lough Derg (3 hour total drive)

  1. Take a short drive to Dromineer to experience what is right on your doorstep. Read more about Dromineer here.
  2. Drive towards Terryglass, calling in at the beautiful peaceful lakeshore at Luska. Read more here.
  3. Cross the River Shannon at Portumna, and enjoy a stroll at the marina and the Portumna Forest Park. Read more about Portumna (and nearby Lorrha) here.
  4. Drive south through County Galway before arriving at the harbour in Mountshannon.
  5. Take a boat out to Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) and explore 15 centuries of history!
  6. Follow the Lough Derg shore through County Clare to the historic twin towns of Killaloe and Ballina.
  7. Cross the River Shannon and enjoy great coffee, sweet and savoury treats at The Wooden Spoon Cafe
  8. Follow the Tipperary shore on a very scenic drive to the Lookout and on to beautiful Garrykennedy.
  9. Enjoy a fantastic dinner at the Larkins Bar and Restaurant.
  10. Read more about this route here.

The Burren Experience (1.5 hour each-way drive)

Visit the Wild Atlantic Way in County Clare.

Call in at the beautiful coastal towns of Ennistymon, Lahinch, Doolin, Ballyvaughan and Kinvarra.

Visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, either on land or from the sea.

Visit the caves at Aillwee or Doolin.

Enjoy coffee, ice cream, chocolate or cheese!

Explore the magnificent Burren UNESCO Global Geopark, and see one of the best coastal drives Ireland has to offer.

Read more at this link.

Local Lakeside eBike Experience

  1. Rent an eBike from us or take a self-guided or guided tour with your host from The Nest Rob Queen.
  2. eBike to Terryglass from the Nest.
  3. Enjoy a short lakeside walk by the lake and visit the Holy well.
  4. Enjoy a discounted lunch at The Derg Inn in the village.
  5. Cycle back taking in great historic sights and lakeside views.

The Copper Coast (2 hour each-way drive)

  1. Take the R498 from Nenagh to Thurles. Take the M8 to Cashel. Follow signs to Clonmel. At Clonmel, follow the N24 to Carrick-On-Suir. Here you will cross into County Waterford. Follow the R676 through the Comeragh range until you see a sign for Mahon Falls. Follow that sign!
  2. At Mahon Falls, there is a beautiful walk to the waterfall. It is quite an easy walk in a horseshoe valley. As you drive back down from Mahon Falls, you will arrive on a ‘magic road’, which is pinned on Google Maps. Here, your car will appear to be pointing uphill, but if you put it in neutral, you will roll uphill! I could explain the magic but it’s more fun to try to figure it out yourself.
  3. Leaving the Mahon Falls behind, follow the R676 and N25 into Dungarvan. Here there are a number of great places to eat. We recommend the Railway Cottage for lunch.
  4. From Dungarvan, if you follow the coast to the east you will be on the Copper Coast, with numerous beautiful coves and beaches.
  5. If you go west from Dungarvan (follow Youghal signs) there is another beautiful stretch of coast. Our personal favourite is the small town of Ardmore.
  6. Return to the Nest via Dungarvan. From there, follow the R672 and R671 to Clonmel, then from Clonmel follow the signs to Cashel and take the M8 towards Dublin, leaving the motorway at Thurles and following the R498 back to Nenagh.

Cashel, Holycross and the Golden Vale
(1 hour each-way drive)

  1. For details of all the following destinations, follow this link to the blog entry.
  2. At Holycross there is a beautiful crossing over the River Suir, and there is also stunning restored 12th Century Abbey. The Abbey was in ruins until the 1970s, when it was painstakingly restored by local craftsmen. It is a fantastic place to wander around.
  3. At Cashel there are 2 ruined abbeys (Hore Abbey and the Dominican Priory) as well as the famous Rock of Cashel, which was a seat of Kings from the 5th to the 11th Centuries, when it became a cathedral. Tours of the Rock are available year round.
  4. There are a number of great places to eat in Cashel, or you can get a hearty meal at The Wytchway Inn near Holycross.
  5. A 15-minute drive beyond Cashel is the beautiful walled medieval town of Fethard. Here you can visit the Fethard Horse Country Experience museum, enjoy walking around the historic town walls or visit Knockelly Castle.
  6. Also 15 minutes from Cashel is Cahir, which is based on the River Suir. Here you will find an impressive castle, as well as a riverside walk leading to the beautiful 19th Century cottage orne.
  7. And finally, the mightiest abbey of them all is Athassel Abbey, which is a short distance from Cashel. Here, you can wander among the ruins and breathe in the history.

City Exploration Day Trips from The Nest

Take a day trip to vibrant cities such as Limerick, Galway, Cork, Kilkenny, and Dublin, all conveniently accessible from the Nest via the M7 motorway, just a 15-minute drive away.

Limerick (45 minute drive)

  1. Take the M7 Motorway to Limerick
  2. The Discover Limerick website will give you great ideas.
  3. We highly recommend a visit to The Hunt Museum.
  4. St. John’s Castle is a must!
  5. There are some great murals in Limerick, we love the Dodo Reddan work of art who was one of Limericks most memorable and colourful characters!

Kilkenny (1.5 hour drive)

  1. Stop off at Durrow for a coffee.
  2. Visit Kilkenny Castle.
  3. Check out the local crafts at Kilkenny Design Centre.
  4. Walk the Medieval Mile.
  5. Enjoy a meal at one of the many fantastic dining spots before returning to The Nest.

Galway City (1.5. hour drive)

  1. Wander along Shop Street, soaking up the atmosphere, enjoying the buskers and calling in at some of the shops and pubs.
  2. Enjoy a river side walk along the fast-flowing Corrib at the Spanish Arch and Claddagh areas.
  3. Visit the seaside at Salthill Promenade.
  4. Take in a show at one of the many music venues (The Roisin Dubh and Monroes are highly recommended) or enjoy a Traditional Irish music session in one of the pubs on Shop Street.

Cork City (1.5 hour drive)

  1. Visit the English Market and the many shops that Cork has to offer.
  2. Enjoy the food, from street stalls to fine dining.
  3. Visit some of the live music venues. The Cork Opera House is a fantastic venue, and there are many smaller venues as well as Traditional Irish music in several pubs.
  4. Visit the historic coastal town of Cobh.
  5. Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone if you dare!
  6. Explore beautiful West Cork as well.

Dublin City (1.5 hour drive)

  1. Take the M7 motorway to Dublin.
  2. The Discover Dublin website is a great resource!
  3. We love to visit The Chester Beatty Library – one of Dublin’s best museums and has a great cafe too!
  4. Dublin Zoo is a great place for all of the family which is in a well kept beautiful park setting.
  5. If you are interested in history Kilmainham Gaol is a great way to get a good understanding of the history that shaped Ireland!

Get In Touch

Ph: +353 (89) 654 1495 or email: info@thenestkiladangan.ie