Echoing earlier sentiments on here, I haven't seen much in the discussion of SE Ireland. I have a rental home for the last week of May in Arthurstown with 3 friends, and was hoping for local suggestions to the area for things to do. We'll be in Ireland from the 22-29 and so far have agreed that we want to check out Glendalough, the Cliffs of Moher, Cork, and Dublin while we're there, but are open to more thoughts for things that keep our driving (we rented a car through Alamo) to a minimum. Thanks!

Athassel Abbey in County Tipperary is a place I came across by chance as I drove by. It is the ruins of a monastery built in 1192 and burned down in 1447.I thought it was quite magical out in the middle of a field with nobody but myself to admire it. In the same county near the village of Golden is Holy Cross Abbey built in 1182 and still in use to this day.Ireland is full of special places like this if you are into ancient history.South of Arthurstown is the medieval Hook Head Lighthouse which is well worth visiting.

Nothing at all wrong w/ the SE. But as a base to see the Cliffs of Moher, Cork, Dublin etc -- it really doesn't work at all

Arthurstown (assuming you mean the one in Wexford) to the Cliffs is more than 4 hour's drive one way w/o stops.

Same for Killarney.

To Dublin -- about 3 hours.

Glendalough - maybe just under 3 hours.

So if you wanted to keep your driving to a minimum - you either picked the wrong places to visit or the wrong place to stay.

I have a few files of things to visit in the SE but it's been a while since I looked at it. I'll make a search -- but maybe others can help you w/ ideas.

Didn't see sandylan's post. S/he gave you a few places to get you started.

You're really going to have to forget about using your cottage as a base for seeing other parts of Ireland.

There is a lot of good stuff within 20-25 miles of Arthurstown, enough to keep you interested for several days.

Cork is fine, but just beware that driving in it can be a mess. That was one place I wished I had a GPS.