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hidden wicklow gems
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10-07-2010 12:26pm#1i was posting in another today and talking about all the wonderful things to do in wicklow and it got me thinking about hidden gems i am missing. so thought this would be a good idea for thread especially as there are lot of non-natives around
one of my favourite places at the moment is victoria's way in roundwood
http://www.victoriasway.eu/
i am planning on taking the OH to the german graveyard in Glencree next weekend - havent been there since was a kid
http://www.glencree.ie/site/history.htm
Killruddery house and gardens
http://www.killruddery.com/index.htm
so come people let me know your hidden gems 4
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The Filter Beds at the Vartry reservoir were always a favourite place of mine growing up. Sunday lunch at the Glenview Hotel or Roundwood Inn inevitably led to an expedition up the Great Sugar Loaf or a more gentle amble about the Filter Beds. I wonder is it still possible to walk about there? The army were based there for a while in the 1970s as a security precaution - they still should be but that's for a different thread.
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And, of course, Bray Head is another gem that many never bother to explore and that's a pity as the views from the Cross are well worth the effort. I haven't been up since 1988 but I'm sure the views are still as good. The most direct approach is to walk southwards along the promenade and follow the well beaten trail towards the Cross but there's a little bit of rough terrain to be tackled on this route just before the top. If you fancy a less challenging and, arguably, more pleasant walk the Cross may be reached via the woods on the R767 (the Bray/Greystones road) just before the Vevay Road meets the Southern Cross Road. Not as complicated as it sounds. However, I suspect from reports that the woods and Bray Head are not the innocent surroundings that I played in as a child as you're best not to undertake the expedition on your own.
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A couple of others spring to mind such as:
http://www.mountushergardens.ie
http://www.powerscourt.ie/gardens/
The view from the garden front of the house would be worth a fortune if you could bottle it! This poor pic does not come anyway near to capturing the splendour of man made and natural beauty of the view.
Also Powerscourt Waterfall but don't bother unless it has been raining for a week or two beforehand otherwise the volume of water can be disappointing.
Russborough House http://www.russborough.ie near Blessington is another 'big' house well worth viewing - home to the Beit Art Collection which was always a firm favourite with "The General".
Sorry for hijacking the thread. 0 -
LOL, dont say sorry hijacking that is what the thread is about.
i have never been to Russborough, have added that to my list.
in additional to brayhead, the cliff walk from bray to greystones is beautiful. the ocean road in australia, has nothing on it
http://www.visitwicklow.ie/attractions/bray-greystones-cliff-walk.htm
and poulaphuca - i remember going there as a child and you go in to the building that are buried under ground and you got in a lift like going into coal mines - hmm, i wonder can you still do that ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poulaphouca_Reservoir0 -
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Never heard of that one before either!
A thing which I take for granted is the rail journey between Bray and Arklow which passes through some of the most unspoilt and scenic parts of County Wicklow. I travelled this route in both directions yesterday and apart from the scenery - the trains runs through the Vale of Avoca to Rathdrum, along the edge of the beach from Wicklow to Greystones and finally along the cliffs of Bray Head - the sheer amount of wild birds to been seen is amazing. Yesterday, I passed the protected Little Tern colonies at Kilcoole, a raptor of some type was hunting over the grassy area between beach and railway; Little Egrets were much in evidence in the marsh and then on passing along the cliffs at Bray Head we were so close to breeding seabirds it was unreal. These colonies have mushroomed since I lived in Bray and yesterday I noted Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fukmars, Black Guillemots, Shags, Cormorants and numerous different gulls nesting just yards from the track.
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Still in the Bray/Enniskerry area and a place many people may not have any occasion to pass through is The Scalp. A fascinating stretch of road which links Enniskerry to Dublin via Kilternan passes through an area of boulder scree left behind by a glacial lake during the last Ice Age. Giant granite boulders are scattered high up on either side of the narrow defile through which the R117 road passes seemingly defying gravity and threatening to crash down on unsuspecting motorists. Best views may be had from the top deck of the 44 bus.
This interesting blog describes how to reach the heights above the Scalp and as the author says - not for the fainthearted!
http://fatstevewalks.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/scary-scalp-walk/
Another interesting link about The Scalp and climbing routes here: http://wiki.climbing.ie/index.php/The_Scalp0 -
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Two more of Wicklow's hidden gems.
The spectacular Luggala Estate viewed from the R759 Sally Gap/Roundwood road is a fairytale location belonging to the Guinness family. The whole estate can be rented but with even the lowliest cottage starting at €500 per week you get the picture..:D http://www.luggala.net/index.htm
Glenmacnass Waterfall on the nearby Sally Gap/Laragh (R115) road is also worth going to view but be careful as a number of people have been killed and injured here over the years. The waterfall can seem deceptively safe to get close and personal with. Viewing the You Tube video below may give you a hint of the possible dangers involved.
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Hunter's has been a Wicklow institution for decades. Hidden away on the (R761) coast road from Greystones to Rathnew, it used to be a bastion of gentility where people brought their maiden aunts for buttered scons and afternoon tea. Judging by the website it has changed with the times but appears to have retained its olde worlde charm. A visit is in order to refresh my memory.
http://www.hunters.ie/0 -
This familiar landmark is now looked after by the Irish Landmark Trust and has been restored as an upmarket holiday rental property. A peaceful place but at a high price and a weeks' rental will cost in excess of €1k.
A little info from their site here: http://www.irishlandmark.com/
Two lighthouses were built on Wicklow Head in September 1781. One, the Irish Landmark Trust lighthouse, is on Long Hill, and is known as the upper or rear light; the other was on the saddle of the headland and was known as the tower or front light.
Nothing now remains of the front tower, but the rear tower still stands on Long Hill. It is approximately 95 feet high, and still functions as a long established landmark for sailors.
In a storm, on the night of 19th October 1836, it was struck by lightning. In the fire that followed the interior was gutted on all floors, and the lantern destroyed. It was, however, decided that the cut stone shell of the tower should be preserved, and it was recommended that a new roof be added. The present protective brick dome was added in 1866.
The Irish Landmark Trust acquired the lighthouse in 1996, and set about conserving the tower. This involved replastering the internal and external walls, making and fitting 27 windows, wiring, plumbing, flooring and installing a water pumping system. When the stairs and timber floors were in place, 6 octagonal rooms were arranged vertically. Although the rooms are small, they have high arched windows set into walls which are almost a metre thick. The lighthouse is a truly inspiring place to stay.
Wicklow Head Lighthouse has safeguarded the scenic Wicklow coastline since 1781. It is a peace seeker’s haven with inspiring and refreshing views of the Irish Sea. The landscape and scenery surrounding the lighthouse provide a perfect backdrop for a unique and memorable break.
The Lighthouse has 6 octagonal rooms carefully constructed in the void that existed within the tower when it was first taken on by Irish Landmark. The arched windows set into walls which are a metre or more thick offer stunning views out to the Irish Sea and the surrounding countryside: all making this property a most unique place to stay. (Sleeps 4)
Nearby: Wicklow Town (5 kms) Shop (5 kms) Restaurant (5 kms) Beach (5 kms) Please Note: This property is surrounded by sea on three sides. Also, the kitchen is at the top of the property, and there is 109 steps to it.
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convert - Not surprised to hear about Hunter's, it always was a place for simple Protestant fare.
I love Glendalough too and as you say unbeatable when you have the place to yourself. As for Glenmalure - a real gem! When I was at school I used to run a Natural History Society outing there a couple of times a year to climb Lugnaquilla but on the last occasion I personally didn't get any further than Baravore Ford where I found somewhere to cool the beer!
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Cookie_Monster wrote: »Top of Lugnaquilla in glorious summer sun can't be beaten
Ah yes, but like I said stopping at the car park putting the beer in the river at Baravore Ford beats the socks off the clamber to the summit. 0 -
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Judgement Day wrote: »Ah yes, but like I said stopping at the car park putting the beer in the river at Baravore Ford beats the socks off the clamber to the summit.
lazy fecker. :P0 -
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Ive lived most of my life in Wicklow, and have only seen a handful of these places. Im some lazy boy!
But being in Sydney kind of belays that.
I have only been to handful of these places myself and live in wicklow. Rossbourough house looks great. I might have been there as a child...cannot recall.
I will be visiting there sometime.
Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanouge on the N11 has a interesting Garden an lovely cafe on a veranda overlooking the gardens.
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Avoca's cafe in the Mount Usher Gardens in of the N11 Ashford. Mount Usher gardens are rated as one of the 3 best garden in the Uk and ireland.
Powerscourt waterfall A short 5 min drive or a pleasant 45 min walk from Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanouge on the N11
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coH4-5s6ZCU
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