East Ireland

Ireland’s Ancient East is alive with the past — a region of wooded valleys, rolling hills and sea-breezed towns where old stories linger in the air. You’ll find misty mornings on Wicklow’s trails, bright harbours along the Wexford coast and Dublin’s creative pulse threading through it all. There’s history at every turn; from Celtic tombs and castle towers to cobbled streets coloured with vibrant music, conversation and the scent of roasted coffee.

This is a place that rewards slow wandering and stopping to pay attention. Hike through heather-covered mountains and watch the light shift over Glendalough’s twin lakes. Follow coastal roads that curve past dunes and fishing coves, or stroll through Georgian squares that still carry the genius of poets and revolutionaries. The landscapes may be gentler than Ireland’s west, but they hold just as much depth and are deeply atmospheric. See our top Kip tips for the region, below.

Our hideaways here are just as soulful as the country itself: come with family and stay in old stone farmhouses on an elegant estate (with an award-winning restaurant, too) or come alone for a deeply restorative retreat at design-led cabins with outdoor baths and quiet views as far as the eye can see.