A Sojourn In The Southeast.

You'll know by now that we're all quite smitten with Ireland's "Sunny Southeast", even if it isn't always sunny! During my time spent in Enniscorthy last year and visits to Waterford City, I'd definitely loved the region. So, when Ciarán and Jane headed off for a well-earned Easter break with their daughters, good times and some excellent photos seemed certain. Their trip encompassed part of the Waterford Greenway, the Waterford Suir Valley railway in Kilmeaden, Mount Congreve Gardens, and Mahon Falls; honestly, we were all a little envious!

The Waterford Greenway.

There are currently six Greenways in Ireland, and although not the oldest, Waterford's is one of the best known. The idea for a Greenway is to be a car-free route for walking, running, and cycling. While most of these byways are presently based on disused railway lines, two also run along old towpaths on the Suir river and the Royal Canal. They are a refreshing alternative for those who prefer a more immersive experience of the countryside, and their popularity is attested to by the fact that ten more are currently being planned in various parts of Ireland.

Waterford's Greenway runs from Waterford City to the pretty coastal town of Dungarvan, covering 46 kilometres, or 28.6 miles. It takes in the architecture of the steam age—bridges and viaducts—and meets the banks of the river Suir before ending along the Copper Coast, a UNESCO Global Geopark. Although our intrepid explorers didn't cycle the entire length of the trail, the bits they covered look enchanting! And who didn't love the echoes in train tunnels as a child?

Waterford's Suir Valley Railway.

Hearing about the Greenways using old railway lines, you might think that the great age of the railways is forgotten, but you'd be wrong. While the rail network in Ireland diminished in use and size over the second half of the 20th century, many people today work passionately to ensure that we still have the opportunity to experience the magic of trains. The WSVR is a community heritage project that has rebuilt 10 kilometres, or 6.2 miles, of narrow gauge line - heavy work, but for a wonderful cause!

Waterford City benefited greatly from railway connections in the 1850s and into the 20th century. Now that more people are exploring the area, Kilmeadan Station and the WSVR are a valuable link to the county's rail heritage. After all, the railways made a massive difference to life in Ireland and the United Kingdom. In fact, they even led to standardising the time! Did you know, for example, that prior to October 1916, Dublin time was twenty-five minutes behind London?!

Mount Congreve.

The next stop on the trip was Mount Congreve, a Georgian estate near Kilmeadan. Built and owned by the Congreve family - headed by a line of gentlemen named alternately John and Ambrose from 1710-2011! - and designed by John Roberts, the region's foremost architect in his time, the house and its seventy-plus acres of garden were left in Trust to the Irish State in 2011 when the last owner died at the age of one hundred and four.

Now ranking among the world's great gardens, its last owner, Ambrose Congreve (1907-2011), is credited with turning a previously average country estate into something exceptional. Like other Anglo-Irish or British businessmen who inherited and retained (or bought and restored) large country houses in Ireland during the second half of the 20th century who have since left them to the State, Mr Congreve was a man with a passion. Despite his suitably dignified day job, his great love was for gardening.

This compulsion - apparently aided and abetted by Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, who shared his fascination with Rhododendrons and Magnolias - saw him receive a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services to horticulture, plus an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin and thirteen Gold Medal wins at the Chelsea Garden Show. He was also awarded a medal for the greatest garden in the world by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1997. A busy man indeed!

While Ambrose was very much involved in the garden's evolution, one man could not do it all. Therefore, in 1962, Mr Henry Dool from the Netherlands was employed as the Head Gardener. He retired in 1999, and the celebrated Magnolia Walk within the estate has since been renamed in his honour. Henry also received the Orange Order of Nassau from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in recognition of the labour of love he undertook in Ireland prior to his death.

Their legacy for Ireland is a garden comprising over three thousand different shrubs and trees, both indigenous and imported, in its very own microclimate. Add it to your list if you're planning a trip to the Southeast in the future.

Mahon Falls.

The last spot on Ciarán and Jane's trip took them to Mahon Falls in the Comeragh Mountains. The Falls are approximately 80 metres in height or about 262.5 feet, and the surroundings are stunning, with views down to the sea and Dungarvan. When the rain has been a little less...persistent, the Falls aren't quite so dramatic, and you can - carefully - climb a fair way up their side. Thankfully, the family had a dry(ish) day for their visit because, so far this year, the rain has felt unending!

As ever in Ireland, where there is a rugged landscape with walking trails, there are also sheep along the way. And around Easter time, that means lambs. Lots of people tell us that this is one of their great joys in visiting Ireland in the Spring, and it certainly adds to the charm of our contryside!

All Good Things Must Come To An End.

While the school holidays at Easter are a great opportunity for a family break, they can only last so long. Work beckons, but now that the days are brighter, I'm sure the First Family of MIJ will undertake more expeditions!

Have you explored any areas that Ciarán, Jane, and the girls visited? We'd love to hear your stories and experiences of the Sunny Southeast, so please do share them in the comments section below. Perhaps it will inspire some of us the next time we head in that direction!