A 48 hour stay in Waterford

Friday, 6pm

Check into Dooley’s Hotel, a historic family run establishment on the Quay on the banks of the River Suir. (From e55 a night, but check the website for seasonal offers, click here for www.dooleys-hotel.ie).

8pm

Stroll along the promenade by the Suir to see what brought the Vikings here to settle in the 9th century – safe harbour and fertile territory – and establish Ireland’s oldest city.

Saturday, 10am

Time to wander around this old trading town in Ireland’s south-east. Behind the waterfront is a hotch potch of twisting streets with a range of boutique shops. The Irish Handmade Glass Company is the place for contemporary pieces while those who prefer tradition will enjoy The House of Waterford Crystal (Tickets e11 each, e30 for a family)..

Noon Christ Church cathedral in the centre provides respite from the bustle. click here to visit www.christchurchwaterford.com.

6pm

Head south to the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East. Explore the harbour and beach before making a beeline to The Spinnaker Bar click here to visit www.thespinnakerbar.com for dinner and live music.

Sunday, 11am Tee off at either Faithlegg (green fees are e35 from May-September), or Waterford Castle (e34 from May-September), golf courses, the latest incarnations of some of this area’s stately homes.

6pm

The town will be quiet but the Munster Bar click here to visit www.themunsterbar.com, on this site in the Viking Quarter for 350 years, will be as lively as usual. Have a pint of the dark stuff in the cosy snug before settling down for fabulous Irish gastro pub cooking.

• The facts Both Ryanair click here for www.ryanair.com and Aer Lingus click here for aerlingus.com fly from Scotland to Dublin, the nearest airport for direct flights.

• Visit click here to visit www.holidays.scotsman.com for more great holidays