County Wicklow

The M50 Motorway (toll road) mirrors the curve of Dublin Bay as it snakes from north, west and south of the city smoothly taking you to County Wicklow.  The dividing line between the two counties is the joined-up Dublin and Wicklow Mountains.  They provide panoramic views of Dublin City and Bay.

Within minutes of leaving that major urban area lovers of the great outdoors can be lost in wonder in the glorious landscape which has inspired poets and artists.  County Wicklow is sometimes known as ‘The Garden of Ireland’ and is renowned for its sea coast beaches and inland lakes, mountains and rivers.  The most wooded county in Ireland one fifth of the land is in forestry. Its National Park embraces 17,000 hectares.

Just 20km from Dublin city centre, Powerscourt House and Gardens in Enniskerry, is a heritage property celebrated and cultivated with its majestic location, formal gardens, waterfall (the highest in Ireland) and a golf course set in exceptional scenic beauty. Powerscourt is open to the public and possesses quality restaurants and high class shopping.

Avoca Village where the popular  BBC series “Ballykissangel” was set. The stunning landscape so impacts the senses it is not hard to appreciate the inspiration Woodenbridge provided for Thomas Moore to pen his famous Irish melody, “The Meeting of the Waters.”

Ardmore Film Studios are situated in the county, its scenery has been used in many famous films.  The list of historic dramas included Excalibur, Brave Heart, King Arthur, Moll Flanders, Michael Collins and the Count of Monte Cristo.

Roundwood is part of the main route from Dublin to Glendalough , at 238 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest villages in Ireland.

The ruins of Glendalough articulate peace and a tangible quietude, they date back to early Christian times.  The area has lakes, high mountains and belongs to a world seeking a refuge from the hassle of life’s frenetic merry-go-round.

Several other gardens of interest include:

I have mentioned The Indian Sculpture Park in a previous post.
Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford
Killruddery House Gardens

For each treasure I have listed, I am sure there are ten more I have failed to mention.  No doubt if I have major omissions my readers will soon let me know.