Wicklow Hotels & Information
Wicklow is known as the 'Garden of Ireland' and well deserves its name. For hill-walkers and scenery lover alike, Wicklow is ideal with its close proximity to the capital and the remoteness of the unspoilt countryside. Wicklow provides a simply unbeatable experience for all tastes and interests. The 82-mile Wicklow way which starts just outside Dublin gives some breathtaking views to the more energetic.
High in the Wicklow Mountains lies the monastic retreat of St. Kevin, Glendalough, meaning the valley of the two lakes. Beautiful Glendalough was a place of religious pilgrimage long before St. Kevin established it as a monastic centre in the 6th century. Wicklow is a county steeped in history and culture with many fine heritage gardens. As well as scenery, the county is famous for its golf courses and for angling.
Wicklow town was originally a Viking settlement during the 9th century called Vikingalo. The town has a fine harbour, sailing and yacht club and good fishing north of the town. Wicklow's Historic Gaol introduces visitors to the life of prisoners, including the 1798 rebels.
Avoca grew up out of the copper mining industry, which thrived here in the last century, this attractive village on the Avoca River is now better known for the hand weaving looms and the craft shops of the Avoca handweavers. Avoca is the location used in the making of the T.V. series 'Ballykissangel'. The Old Mill is Ireland's oldest working mill dating from 1723.
Arklow, a busy shopping town, well known for fishing and pottery, is an ideal base for touring the Vale of Avoca and sandy Brittas Bay to the north of the town.
Ashford village is noted for the Mount Usher Gardens, which houses a famous collection of plants from all over the world. Just west of the village is The Devil's Glen and Punchbowl, a waterfall and pool, with lovely walks.
Baltinglass, a Heritage Town, is located on the Slaney River. The remains of Baltinglass Abbey, founded in the 12th century, can still be seen.
Blessington was built by Archbishop Michael Boyle in the latter half of the 17th century. The Protestant parish church dates back to this time. The nearby lakes are part of a hydro-electric scheme created when the valley of the Liffey River was flooded to create Poulaphuca Reservoir. These Blessington Lakes, as well as supplying water to thousands of Dubliners, are now a huge recreational amenity, where many water sports can be learned and enjoyed.
Bray, known as the 'Gateway to Wicklow' is one of the oldest seaside resorts in the country and much of the Victorian character of the original town is evident on the promenade and in the houses facing onto the sea front. The town is overlooked by Bray Head with its cross at the summit erected for the Marian year in 1954. This is a popular Sunday afternoon climb for locals and visitors alike.
Glendalough is a beautiful spot in a deep glacial valley with two lakes. This ancient monastic settlement was founded by St.Kevin in the 6th century and its famous round tower is still in good condition. Church ruins can be seen and the Glendalough Visitors Centre contains and exhibition and video show. The area around the lakes is a popular walking route with magnificent scenery.
Enniskerry is a very pretty village built close to Powerscourt Estate. This is now very good for shopping with boutiques, craft and gift shops in plenty and tea rooms with local home baking to tempt the appetite.
Rathdrum is situated on the western side of the beautiful Avonmore Valley and with many famous beauty spots nearby, is a popular location for the Irish film industry. Just south of the village is Avondale House, where Charles Steward Parnell - one of Ireland's greatest political leaders of the last century was born and lived. The Forest Park has an arboretum, many signposted walks and picnic areas. Close to the village also is Clara Lara Funpark an outdoor family adventure park including boating & crazy golf, open during the summer months.
Roundwood, a picturesque village has the distinction of being the highest village in Ireland. This is a popular base for touring the nearby areas, from Vartry Reservoir, set among the surrounding hills, to the Sally Gap; one of the two east to west passes across the Wicklow Mountains, which offers spectacular views.
Newtownmountkennedy, one of the two longest place names in the country, is situated on the edge of the Mount Kennedy Estate. This is a great spot for golf, fishing, archery and clay-pigeon shooting.
Woodenbridge, in a lovely location at the meeting of the Avoca and Aughrim rivers, contains the Woodenbridge Hotel, the oldest hotel in Ireland. The area is ideal for angling, orienteering, walking and golf.
Brittas Bay, with its famous blue flag beach and little villages like Kilcoole, Kiltegan, Delgany, Macreddin, Aughrim and Beautiful Glen of Imaal are some other places worth a visit. The Glen of Imaal is known for a breed of dog called the Glen of Imaal terrier and boasts spectacular views but is also used as a military range by the Irish Defence Forces so visitors should heed warning signs.
Other Attractions/Activities
Powerscourt House and Gardens at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains has 45 acres of gardens and Ireland's highest waterfall. The gardens are a mix of formal and walled gardens, terraces, and ornamental lakes together with beautiful rugged walks with over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. The 18th century Palladian Powerscourt House, now restored after a fire, includes a terrace restaurant and a house exhibition tracing the development of the Powerscourt Estate.
Russborough House, Blessington, was built between 1740 and 1750 by Richard Cassells and now houses the famous Beit art collection.
Mount Usher Gardens, Ashford, are magnificent gardens laid out along the banks of the Varty River.
National Garden Exhibition Centre, Kilquade, contains 16 different show gardens depicting the styles available to homeowners.
National Sealife Centre, Bray, has many fine examples of marine life from shrimps to shark, octopus to eels.
Glenroe Open Farm, Ballygannon, Kilcoole, is the farm where Glenroe, the television series was filmed.
The Wicklow Mountains National Park covers 20,000 hectares, including large areas of mountain blanket bogs and varied forms of wildlife, from a large herd of deer, badgers, red squirrels and otters to rare orchids and the peregrine falcon.
The Wicklow Way is the first marked walking route in the country and runs from Marley Park in County Dublin, through Co.Wicklow to Clonegal in County Carlow. It is 132kms long and can be walked in 5 or 6 days or in shorter sections at a time. This walk covers many places of historic interest and is clearly marked along the way.
Wicklow is an angler's paradise, with shore and offshore fishing available along the coast and inland fishing along the many rivers and lakes. The Poulaphouca Reservoir has brown trout, perch, roach and pike. The trout season is March to September and coarse angling is from November to September.
Golfers are in their element with over 20 of Ireland's finest golf clubs in the county, including the well-known Druids Glen, home of the Irish Open.
Other sports catered for are horse riding, pony trekking, polo, orienteering, shooting, sailing, swimming and watersports of all kinds, cycling, archery, clay pigeon shooting and paintballing.
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