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See also Wicklow Mountains National Park
The county of Wicklow lies south of Ireland’s capital city, Dublin. The Wicklow mountains and the national park’s 49,421 acres cover much of the county. The Avonmore and Derry river valleys and the long coastline make up other natural features. For walkers the 82-mile Wicklow way begins in south Dublin and traverses its way through the county to its southern boundary.
 The N81 leads from the northern boundary of the county down its western edge to Baltinglass. Just off the main road are the Blessington lakes that provide hydro-electric power for Dublin and are used for recreational water sports. Here is 700 foot long Russborough House, built 1740-1750 of granite in the Palladian style. It contains paintings from the Beit collection, fine furniture, a silver collection, and tapestries.
The heritage town of Baltinglass sits on the river Slaney south-west of the Wicklow mountains near the county’s west border. In the area are bronze age burial chambers, Rathcoran iron age hill fort, and the ruins of 12th century Cistercian abbey, Vallis Salutis. A heritage and visitor centre gives the details. The Dwyer McAllister cottage, south-east of Donard at Derrynamuck is a vernacular thatched cottage with a small museum.
Laragh, on the rivers Glenmacnass and Avonmore is a good starting point to view scenic attractions in the mountain area: Wicklow gap and Sally gap (passes through the Wicklow mountains), Glenmacnass waterfall, Glendalough, and Glenalure valley, the longest glacier valley in the British Isles. Trooperstown Hill, on the edge of Largh, is a forest, which gives views up into Glendalough and the nearby hills. The 100-acre fun park Clara Lara is three miles from the village. Norman Castlekevin remains are in the vicinity. North of Laragh is Roundwood, Ireland’s highest village. Near the village is Vartry reservoir.
Wicklow Mountains National Park’s 49,421 acres includes large areas of mountain blanket bogs and Glendalough Wood Nature Reserve. The information Point and Education Centre for the park are located nearby at Upper Lake in Glendalough Valley. Hollywood is a village in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains associated with St Kevin’s Way, a pilgrim path leads from here to Glendalough. The Protestant church in the village has a 17th century vaulted roof.
 Glendalough means the valley of the two lakes. The place was one of religious pilgrimage before it was established by St Kevin as a monastic city in the 6th century. Located at the entrance to Glendalough valley is a visitor centre with an exhibition and AV presentation.
 Glendalough’s ruins consist of seven churches, a round tower, a high cross and other buildings scattered around the countryside of the upper and lower lakes.
 Back in northern Wicklow near the coast, the town of Enniskerry has many visitor amenities and attractions including tea rooms and shops, a clock tower, and two gardens: Ballyorney house and gardens and Charleville house and gardens; both need prior arrangement to visit.
 The main attraction, however, is Powerscourt House and Gardens. The 18th century Palladian house was noted for its plasterwork, inlaid floors, furniture, and chandeliers, but it was burned down in 1974. The surrounding 45 acres show formal and walled gardens, terraces, lakes, trees and shrubs. An exhibition on the estate, a house exhibition, shops, and a restaurant provide an all-around experience. Four miles south is Powerscourt waterfall, the highest waterfall in the country. A bus service runs from Enniskerry in peak season.
County Wicklow’s coastal towns and attractions are easily reached off the N11, the main road south. The Victorian seaside town Bray is on the border of Dublin county. This busy urban centre offers a promenade, a cliffwalk, the National Sea Life Centre and the Bray Heritage Centre, located on Main street in the old courthouse.
 Outside the town are the Kilruddery house and gardens. The house has been in the same family since 1618. An orangery contains statuary from Italy. The extensive 17th century formal gardens survive in their original style. They were designed for entertaining large numbers of people and include two long ponds and a beech hedge. The National Garden Exhibition Centre is sited south of the Glen of the Downs. It features 16 designed gardens. Kilcoole, by Newtownmountkennedy, posed as ‘Glenroe’ in the Irish soap opera on TV. Glenroe Open Farm is a fun family attraction. The coastline is a paradise for bird watchers.
 The 20 acre Mt. Usher gardens, near Ashford have a world collection of plants, most notably the eucalyptus. West of Ashford on the Glendalough road lies Devils Glen and a waterfall that flows into the Devils Punchbowl. Wrens Wood Gardens at Kiltimon, are prize winners with terraces, lawns, topiary, woodland, and walks to streams to entice the visitor.
 Wicklow Town was originally a Viking settlement. At the harbour are the ruins of 12th century Black Castle. The Wicklow gaol, built in 1701 is now a heritage museum. The 18th century Protestant church has a 12th century Romanesque door. Inside is a 12th century font. A 13th century friary is located in the grounds of the parish priest’s house. Irish Landmark Trust’s Wicklow Head Lighthouse is a self-catering accommodation.
 Rathdrum lies high on the west side of the Avonmore valley. The 500 acre Georgian Avondale house and forest park is where an Irish political leader, Charles Steward Parnell, lived. The house contains period furniture. In the forest park is an arboretum, walks, and picnic areas. A few miles west of Rathdrum is the Greenane farm museum and maze at Ballinanty. A craft shop and tearoom are also here.
 South of Rathdrum is the town of Avoca, on the river of the same name. Once a copper mining town, its recent claim to fame is as the fictional town of Ballykissangel in the TV show.
 The mill dates from 1723, and craft and weaving shops attract buyers.
Redcross is an old style traditional village snuggled up to rolling hills a few miles from Brittas Bay’s white sand dunes, which are a designated area of scientific interest and home to many interesting wildlife species and plants. The prize winning 3.5 acre Knockanree gardens are nearby. On the coast in the far south of the county, the port of Arklow is a traditional pottery town. Sandy beaches and the Arklow Maritime Museum complete the picture.
Wicklow Attractions
For opening times and full details of attractions see the Attractions section of our website.
Altidore Castle
Kilpedder
Tel. 0 1 281 9186
Arklow Maritime Museum
St Marys Road, Arklow
Tel. 0402 32868
Avoca Handweavers
Avoca, at the Mill
Tel. 0 402 35105
Web: Avoca
Avondale House and Forest Park
Rathdrum
Tel. 0404 46111
Ballard Gardens
Ballard Park, Ballinaclash, near Rathdrum
Tel. 0404 46251
Ballyorney House and Gardens
Enniskerry
Tel. 01 668 3791
Baltinglass Heritage Centre
Baltinglass
Tel. 0 508 82270
Bray Heritage Centre
Bray, on Main street in old courthouse
Tel. 01 286 6796
Charleville House and Gardens
Enniskerry
Tel. 01 6624455
Clara Lara Fun Park
Vale of Clara
Tel. 0404 46161
Dwyer McAllister Cottage
Derrynamuck, south-east of Donard
Tel. 0404 45325 or 0404 45352
Glenroe Open Farm
Kilcoole
Tel. 0 1287 2288
Web: Glenroe Open Farm
Glendalough Visitor Centre
At entrance to Glendalough valley
Tel. 0404 45325
Greenane Farm Museum and Maze
Ballinanty, Rathdrum
Tel. 0404 46000
Web: Greenanmaze
Kilruddery House and Gardens
Bray
Tel. 0 404 46024
Web: Kilruddery House and Gardens
Knockanree Gardens
Avoca, on Redcross Road
Tel. 0402 35628
Mt. Usher Gardens
Ashford
Tel. 0404 40116 or 0404 40205
Web: Mt Usher Gardens
National Garden Exhibition Centre
Glen of the Downs, off N11 by Kilquade
Tel. 0 1 281 9890
National Sea Life Centre
Bray
Tel. 01 286 6939
Powerscourt House and Gardens, and Waterfall
Enninskerry
Tel. 01 204 6000
Web: Powerscourt
Russborough House
Russborough, Blessington, on N81
Tel. 045 865 239
Wicklow Gaol
Wicklow Town, at southern end beside the courthouse and market square
Tel. 0404 61599
Woodbrook House
Dublin Road, Bray
Tel. 0 1 282 1421
Wrens Wood Gardens
Kiltimon, near Ashford
Tel. 01 2810274
County Wicklow Tourist Information Centres
Bray Heritage Centre and Tourist Information Office
Old Courthouse, Main Street, Bray
Tel. 01 286 66796 or 01 286 7128
Open: June-Aug, Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm, Sat from 10am-4pm except closed 1-2pm; rest of year open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4.30pm and Sat from 10am-4pm except closed 1-2pm.
Wicklow County Tourism
St. Manntan's House
Kilmantin Hill, Wicklow Town
Tel. 0 404 20070
Official Websites
Wicklow Tourism
Photos of Blessington Market House courtesy of Irish Antiquities
Photo of Kilruddery Orangery courtesy of Kilruddery House and Gardens
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