From walking journeys to monuments, each of Ireland's southeastern counties affords visitors an opportunity to indulge in the land and culture. Visiting Glendalough will truly take you away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. A drive or bike around Hook Head and a visit to the Kennedy Homestead highlight the activities available.

Powerscourt House and Gardens, County Wicklow

Located in Enniskerry, the nearly 400-hectare (1,000-acre) Powerscourt House and Gardens (01 204 6000, www.powerscourt.ie) provide an afternoon of absolute splendor. Richard Cassels designed the house originally in 1731. However, a disastrous fire in the mid-1970s destroyed a bulk of the interior. Parts of it have been rebuilt and are no longer open to the public. The Georgian Ballroom is magnificent and the gardens, designed by Irishman Daniel Robertson in the mid-1700s, are the true gem of the grounds. It contains Japanese gardens that were once bog land, Triton Lake, which mimics a popular Roman design, and the Italianate stairway known as the Perron. The Dolphin Pond, Pet Cemetery, and Bamberg Gate from Vienna all add to the estate's overall richness.

The Powerscourt Waterfall is only 7km (4.5 miles) away and is said to be the highest at 120m (400 feet) in Ireland. The estate is open daily, 9:30 A.M.–5:30 P.M.; until dusk in winter. Closed December 25–26. The waterfall is open May–August, 9:30 A.M. –7 P.M.; March–April and September–October, 10:30 A.M.–5:30 P.M.; November–December and January–Febuary 10:30 A.M.–4:30 P.M. Closed two weeks before Christmas. Admission 5–7/8, waterfall 3.50–4.50/5.00.

Glendalough and WicklowMountains National Park

Including Glendalough proper, its valley, and Glendalough Reserve, the Wicklow Mountains National Park (www.wicklownationalpark.ie) fills 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) and was founded in 1991. The park is located just south of the famous Military Road. The road was constructed by the English in 1798 and is now the R115. This famous route takes travelers through Sally's Gap overlooking bog lands and streams. From here, you can access the Glenmacnass Waterfall.

The sequestered religious center still has some impressive ruins, including the inaccessible Church on the Rock (Teampall na Skellig), which sits on an island and was Saint Kevin's original settlement. Closer to the visitor center is an impressive round tower standing 30m (100 feet) surrounded by a graveyard bearing Celtic crosses, along with the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. Farther along is the small cave that was St. Kevin's Bed and the beehive hut known as St. Kevin's Cell.

The visitor center has free parking where maps costing 50 cents are available. Pay parking is available at the Upper Lake, which puts you closer to the trailheads. Entertaining guided tours of the monastic sights and nature walks are available from the center throughout the year.

Walking in Wicklow and Glendalough

In the Glendalough Valley, nine trails dedicated to the Spinc (An Spinc means “pointed hill”) circle in and around the park. Choices range from forty-five minutes to over four hours, each having their own draw of waterfalls, wetlands, valleys, and mountain ridges. One of the best walks is the four-hour Spinc and the Wicklow Way (red trail). This route combines the two trails into what starts as a graded hill walk but ends as a stroll through vast evergreen forests. Local wild animal and bird life, such as deer, goats, jays, merlin, and kestrels may be spotted on this trail as well. This route gives walkers a workout over the Lugduff Mountain (and the 600 steps) that take you to a most rewarding view over the entire valley and lakes.

Take caution and leave personal belongings in the hotel or B&B, even if you are checking out.

For those more adventurous, consider walking the entire Wicklow Way (www.wicklowway.com). This 120km (75-mile) trail is one of Ireland's favorites. The well-marked route takes walkers through swampy bogs, over rolling hillocks, and through quaint villages.

Saltee Islands, County Wexford

Great Saltee and Little Saltee make up the privately owned bird haven known as the Saltee Islands. These are home to cormorant, gannet, puffin, and more species, mostly viewable during migratory periods through spring and the first two months of summer. The islands are historically significant in that they have been hideouts to smugglers, pirates, and even famed revolutionaries such as Bagenal Harvey and John Colclough, who led the 1798 insurrection. You can reach the islands from Kilmore Quay at the harbor. During peak travel seasons, expect several boats per day that charge around 25 per person and 12 per child, roundtrip.

Hook Peninsula, County Wexford

Jutting out between Waterford Harbor and Bannow Bay, the Hook Peninsula (www.thehook-wexford.com) is one of southeast Ireland's hidden promontories. Dotted with rocky terrain, the headland extends to expansive, sandy beaches. The Wexford Coastal Path walkway extends through many of the prominent sights. If you are driving the circuit (also a great cycling route) start at Wellington Bridge on the R733, then continue around the Ring of Hook as it begins on the R734.

Europe's Oldest Lighthouse

The drive from Fethard to Hook Head affords wonderful vistas across the bays. The lighthouse here is said to be Europe's oldest. The area was first used as a beacon in the fifth century by monks residing there and modernized with time. It was functional until the mid-1990s and thereafter replaced with an automated unit. The visitor center (051 397 054) gives an informative half-hour tour. On site is a refreshing caf é and craft shop. The visitor center is open daily all year. Guided tours of the lighthouse are available throughout the day starting at 10 A.M., except November–February. Admission 3.50–4.50/6.00.

Duncannon Fort and Dunbrody Abbey

Going up north to the small resort town of Duncannon (www.visitduncannon.com), visitors can find some interesting monuments, including a star-shaped fort often referred to as the Duncan-non Fort, a medieval Knights Templar church, and in July, home to the premier Duncannon International Sand Sculpting Festival. Back on the R733, the Dunbrody Abbey (051 388 603, www.dunbrodyabbey.com) is an impressive twelfth-century Cistercian cloister often referred to as the Abbey of St. Mary de Port. Kids will surely enjoy the yew-hedge maze and mini-golf course. Abbey and Maze open May–September, 10 A.M.–6 P.M. Abbey admission 1/2. Maze admission 2/4.

Kennedy Homestead and Kennedy Arboretum, County Wexford

The Kennedy Homestead (051 388 264, www.kennedyhomestead.com) can be accessed down a small lane out of Dun-ganstown. The place was the childhood home of Patrick Kennedy, the great-grandfather of John F. Kennedy. The scant grounds hold value for those wanting to explore the Kennedy-family past via a short film and an exploration of the grounds. The tour leader is a relative of the family. Open July and August, daily, 10 A.M.–5 P.M.; May, June, and September, Monday–Friday, 11:30 A.M.–4:30 P.M. Admission 2.5-3.50/5.

The Kennedy Arboretum (051 388 171) is located in New Ross off the R733, just a short distance from the homestead. It contains thousands of species of hedges, plants, and trees. The 252 hectares (623 acres) of woodland is dedicated to JFK and was funded by influential Irish-Americans. Open May–August, 10:00 A.M.–8:00 P.M.; September and April, 10:00 A.M.–6:30 P.M.; October–March, 10:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. Prebook guided tours April–September. Admission 1.30–2.10/2.90.

Dunbrody Famine Ship, County Wexford

Also near the Kennedy Homestead, you will find the Dun-brody Famine Ship (051 425 239, www.dunbrody.com). The vessel is a reassemblage of the ship that sailed between 1846 and 1865 from Ireland to the United States. Originally, the ship was not designed for people, but for cargo. Around 50 percent of the human traffic that took the long, crowded trip across the Atlantic never made it due to sickness. The Visitor Experience displays the Emigration Wall of Honour and has an electronic database holding over 1 million names of those who crossed during the two-decade period. Open April–September, daily, 9 A.M.–6 P.M.; October–March, 9 A.M.–5 P.M. Closed December 24–26. Admission 4.50–6/7.50.

Waterford Town, County Waterford

Waterford Town has some memorable sights worth exploration. One highlight is the Waterford Treasures Museum (051 30 4500, www.waterfordtreasures.com), located on Merchant's Quay. The museum outlines Waterford's Viking past to Strong-bow's marriage to Aoife, and its rise to becoming one of the world's foremost crystal manufacturing centers. The museum is open daily all year, June–August, 9:30 A.M.–9:00 P.M.; April, May, and September, 9:30 A.M.–6:00 P.M.; October and March, 9:30 A.M.–5:00 P.M.

Another highlight of the city is the churches, two of which were designed by John Roberts. The Protestant-built Christ Church Cathedral (051 858 958) at Cathedral Square is home to the James Rice tomb. The Holy Trinity Cathedral (051 875 166) is Roberts's second claim to fame. This Catholic church is famous for its oak pulpit and ten Waterford crystal chandeliers. Both open Monday–Saturday, 10 A.M.–6 P.M.

Some other sights in Waterford include: