Kilkenny & Waterford

An easy two-hour drive from Dublin, this region often skipped by travelers warrants some attention. Kilkenny, with one of Ireland's finest castles and a rich medieval history, maintains a workaday, livable vibe despite the tourists. Nearby Waterford provides an enjoyable few hours of sightseeing, from its famous crystal factory demonstrations to a group of thoughtfully presented museums ringing its cathedral. The adjacent countryside has quite a few worthwhile sights, including a poignant replica "famine ship," a famous lighthouse, and the ancestral home of the Kennedy clan.