County Wicklow - Environment<< Wicklow Homepage |
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| Here's a selection of Wicklow Environment. Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list. |
1. Gardens |
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Powerscourt Gardens & WaterfallPowerscourt, Co. WicklowThe glorious formal gardens at Powerscourt overlooking a dramatic view of the Sugar Loaf Mountain were originally designed by Castle when the house was built for Richard Wingfield between 1731 - 1740. A century later the 7th Viscount Powerscourt decided to expend the family fortunes on the creation of an elaborate garden. Its most striking features are the circular pond and fountain flanked by winged Pegasi, elaborate ironwork, Italian statuary and Italianate pattern ramps. The designers consulted included Daniel Robertson who was inspired both by the Villa Butera in Sicily and by Sherry, and supervised operations from a wheelbarrow. Sadly the centre block of the house was gutted by a disastrous fire in 1974. | |
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2. National Parks |
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Wicklow Mountains National ParkCo. WicklowThe Park initially covered an area of 3,700 hectares centred on Glendalough, buthas been considerably extended since and now covers an area of close to 20,000 hectares, including the internationally important Liffey Head Bog. The main Park visitor facilities and Education Centre are still located in the Glendalough Valley. | |
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3. Tourist Attractions |
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Bray Seafront RoadtrainAisling , Bray Heritage Centre and Tourist information Offic, Co. WicklowBray Seafront Roadtrain is a miniature train, resplendent in bright red, deep green, and shining gold, built to carry some 54 passengers in its open-sided carriages. Its regular run is from one end of Bray's mile long seafront to the other. Starting from the harbour area, it travels along the Strand Road, past the National Aquarium, to the foot of Bray Head, returning via Bray's Victorian promenade. This, however, is only the basic journey for the 'great little train'. It also makes regular trips to Bray's Heritage Centre, located in the town's former Court House, beside the bridge that spans the Dargle River, dividing 'Big' and 'Little Bray'. As you'll find when you visit the Heritage Centre, this location is very close to the spot where Walter de Riddlesford founded his castle in the 12th Century, around which the town of Bray grew up. It's a good place to start your exploration of the area, explaining as it does its geological, as well as historical, background , including Bray Head's Cambrian rock, which is over 570 million years old! Bray first earned its title of the 'Gateway to the Garden of Ireland' when the great railway engineer and entrepreneur, William Dargan, brought the railway to the town in 1854, and built its promenade. It is fitting that now the swift DART service continues to pour visitors into the town, and that a great little train, liberated from its tracks, should take modern visitors around Bray and its environs in the same elegant style of a bygone day. | |
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4. Sightseeing Tours |
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Bray Seafront RoadtrainAisling , Bray Heritage Centre and Tourist information Offic, Co. WicklowBray Seafront Roadtrain is a miniature train, resplendent in bright red, deep green, and shining gold, built to carry some 54 passengers in its open-sided carriages. Its regular run is from one end of Bray's mile long seafront to the other. Starting from the harbour area, it travels along the Strand Road, past the National Aquarium, to the foot of Bray Head, returning via Bray's Victorian promenade. This, however, is only the basic journey for the 'great little train'. It also makes regular trips to Bray's Heritage Centre, located in the town's former Court House, beside the bridge that spans the Dargle River, dividing 'Big' and 'Little Bray'. As you'll find when you visit the Heritage Centre, this location is very close to the spot where Walter de Riddlesford founded his castle in the 12th Century, around which the town of Bray grew up. It's a good place to start your exploration of the area, explaining as it does its geological, as well as historical, background , including Bray Head's Cambrian rock, which is over 570 million years old! Bray first earned its title of the 'Gateway to the Garden of Ireland' when the great railway engineer and entrepreneur, William Dargan, brought the railway to the town in 1854, and built its promenade. It is fitting that now the swift DART service continues to pour visitors into the town, and that a great little train, liberated from its tracks, should take modern visitors around Bray and its environs in the same elegant style of a bygone day. | |
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5. Memorial Parks |
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Memorials/CrossesCo. WicklowGranite, the type of stone which predominates in the valley doesn't lend itself well to ornamentation, it being much too hard. Consequently, the intricate designs and exquisite carvings which are to be found on memorials elsewhere (notably Clonmacnoise) are less notable in Glendalough. Nevertheless, the abundance of memorials which have been discovered are of great antiquity. Found both within the various churches and along the roadsides, many are commemorative rather than sepulchral. Apart from St. Kevin's Cross, the most famous memorial is probably the Bresal Stone which reclines against the South Wall of St. Kevin's Church. It is of eighth century origin with the Irish inscription "Or do Bresal AD IHS XRS" - "Pray for Bresal, Alpha, Omega, Jesus Christ". Also notable is the Market Cross, a 1.75 metre granite cross which originally stood on the roadside near the Glendalough Hotel. It was removed to St. Kevin's Church many years ago. | |
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6. Open Farms |
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Coolnakilly FarmThe Manager , Glenealy, Co. WicklowCoolnakilly Farm is a 100 hectare farm in the foothills of Wicklow. The farm specialises in cereal production. In 1996 wheat yielded over 13 tonnes per hectare. The farm has a commercial flock of sheep and we train and breed horses. Our restaurant can seat 200. Come for lunch, dinner, BBQ or one of our famous buffets and enjoy traditional Irish music while you eat. We provide a wide range of activities including our original farm tour, team building games, forest walks, clay pigeon shooting, archery and much more. | |
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7. Rivers |
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The River SlaneyCo. WicklowFishing available: Brown Trout, Salmon. The River Slaney is one of the foremost salmon fishing rivers in Ireland. Salmon angling is available downstream from Tullow town in Co. Carlow and this stretch is club-controlled by theTullow Salmon and Trout Angling Club. In the Co Wicklow stretch of the Slaney north of Tullow, brown trout is the dominant species. Fishing for brown trout in these waters is free but in all such cases it is advisable to check with the local riparian owners. | |
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8. Lakes |
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Blessington LakeCo. WicklowThe Blessington Lake is owned by the Electricity Supply Board and is renowned beauty spot only 19 miles from Dublin. Coarse angling is available with abundant stocks of Roach, Perch and specimen pike being caught up to 9km. There is also brown trout angling. Fishing on the lakes is regulated by the E.S.B. Fisheries Conservation, Hydro Group, Ardnacrusha, Limerick. | |
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9. Mountains |
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Hollywood GlenRussborough, Co. WicklowFour miles (6km) south of Russborough, Hollywood Glen stretches for about 1.5 miles (2km) between Church Mountain (1,789 feet) and lesser hills to the west The glen is traditionally associated with St Kevin, who is said to have had his first hermitage here. There are fine panoramic views from the summit of Church Mountain. | |
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10. Water Falls |
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Powerscourt Gardens & WaterfallPowerscourt, Co. WicklowThe glorious formal gardens at Powerscourt overlooking a dramatic view of the Sugar Loaf Mountain were originally designed by Castle when the house was built for Richard Wingfield between 1731 - 1740. A century later the 7th Viscount Powerscourt decided to expend the family fortunes on the creation of an elaborate garden. Its most striking features are the circular pond and fountain flanked by winged Pegasi, elaborate ironwork, Italian statuary and Italianate pattern ramps. The designers consulted included Daniel Robertson who was inspired both by the Villa Butera in Sicily and by Sherry, and supervised operations from a wheelbarrow. Sadly the centre block of the house was gutted by a disastrous fire in 1974. | |
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11. Woods and Forests |
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Forest WalksCo. WicklowA network of forest paths traverse the entire valley and provide access to the heavily wooded western regions surrounding the Upper Lake. These walks provide a glorious opportunity to see the wonderful diversity of flora and fauna in the Glen. Nature trails have been marked out by the Office of Public Works with eighteen vantage points, each providing its own particular features of interest and allowing the visitor to be captivated by the rugged splendour of the towering peaks of the Wicklow mountains. Guided nature trail tours and childrens activities can be arranged by staff of Wicklow mountains National Park office. | |
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12. Walks |
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Forest WalksCo. WicklowA network of forest paths traverse the entire valley and provide access to the heavily wooded western regions surrounding the Upper Lake. These walks provide a glorious opportunity to see the wonderful diversity of flora and fauna in the Glen. Nature trails have been marked out by the Office of Public Works with eighteen vantage points, each providing its own particular features of interest and allowing the visitor to be captivated by the rugged splendour of the towering peaks of the Wicklow mountains. Guided nature trail tours and childrens activities can be arranged by staff of Wicklow mountains National Park office. | |
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13. Scenic Drives |
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Mary Gibbon's Tours -Powerscourt & Glendalough TourCo. WicklowPOWERSCOURT & GLENDALOUGH * A drive through the beautiful Wicklow Mountains to visit the 18th & 19th Century Formal Gardens of Powerscourt Estate not to be missed. * Our next visit is to one of Ireland's most important and complete Monastic Settlements, Glendalough, located in a majestic mountain setting. A famous seat of learning since the 6th Century. * You will have a guided tour of the Round Tower, Cathedral, High Cross and early Churches, the most significant being St. Kevin's Kitchen. * Only company visiting Powerscourt Gardens and Glendalough on the same tour. Return 6.00pm approx. Tour duration 4 hrs. Show me all the details for Mary Gibbon's Tours -Powerscourt & Glendalough Tour | |
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14. Visitors Centre |
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Glendalough Visitor CentreCo. WicklowGlendalough, famous for its monastic site founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin, has a round tower, stone churches and numerous crosses. The Visitor Centre houses an exhibition and an audio-visual show. Visitor Centre is fully accessible for visitors with disabilities. Car/coach park close to site. Last admission 45 minutes before closing. | |
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