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 Itinerary
for the 12 Night All Ireland Self Drive/Chauffeured Tour of Ireland |
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to Day Itinerary of your Self Drive Vacation: |
Dublin to Wicklow (Avoca) |
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This comprehensive All-Ireland tour can be accessed via any of
the Irish Airports and visits counties throughout the country including
Northern Ireland. This tour does entail quite a bit of driving but
it will leave the traveller with a wonderful array of memories of
the diverse scenery and cultural differences that they will encounter
from one end of the country to the other. While the accents and
dialects of the spoken word will vary greatly while journeying from
County Cork on the southern tip of Ireland to the northern counties
of Donegal and Antrim, the one unchanging constant will be the level
of friendliness, humour & welcome that you receive throughout
your travels.
While the suggested tour itinerary clearly outlines how you will
be able to visit many of Ireland’s most historical locations
and attractions, make sure to take time-out to get to know the local
people and their culture. Some of the major attractions include
Guinness Storehouse and Trinity College in Dublin, Powerscourt gardens
in Wicklow, Waterford Crystal Factory in the south east as well
as the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle. In the Cork/Kerry region,
as well as visits to Blarney castle and the Cobh Heritage Centre
(The Titanic Trail) you can tour the Ring of Kerry & Dingle
Peninsula. In the west there is the spectacular Cliffs of Moher,
Galway City and the Aran Islands. From there travel north to the
remote counties of Donegal & Sligo (Yeats county) before travelling
into northern Ireland to walk the walls of Derry and the Giants
Causeway in Antrim, not forgetting some time in Belfast to learn
more about it’s turbulent history in the words of one of the
local impartial & qualified guides. Finally, after Belfast it
is time to travel south to the Capital with a stop on route at the
Ancient Megalithic Tombs of Newgrange, Ireland’s most visited
attraction.
Departing Dublin, it is time to discover the splendour of the South
East of Ireland. The South East has something to interest all ages
and tastes: historic monuments, colourful gardens; well-maintained
and sign-posted walking and cycling paths; abundant fishing locations;
numerous golf courses, equestrian centres and exciting festivals.
Taking the N11 in the direction of Wexford, join the R117 for 1.5
miles to Enniskerry. At Enniskerry, take a left turn on the R760
to the Powerscourt Gardens (signposted). One of
the world’s great gardens, Powerscourt is situated in the
foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. It is a sublime blend of formal
gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together
with secret hollows, rambling walks and over 200 varieties of trees
and shrubs. The 18th Century Palladian House now incorporates an
innovative shopping experience, terrace cafe and house exhibition.
Facilities include specialty shops, interiors gallery, garden pavilion
and two 18-hole, championship golf courses. |
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| Powerscourt House & Gardens The
House
Even the avenue leading to the Palladian house echoes the magnificence
of the whole estate, being a mile long and lined by over 2,000 beech
trees. In addition the 47 acres of gardens are remarkable for their
grandeur of scale, at the same time combining great delicacy and
refinement of detail.
The house was gutted by fire in 1974 but recently has been reborn
as an exceptional tourist destination. The entrance hall now features
an exhibition bringing to life the rich history of the estate, while
the double height Georgian ballroom has been restored and hosts
weddings and corporate events. The house is now home to the best
of Irish design in gifts, clothes, and furniture in the Avoca Stores
and the Interiors Gallery. You can also treat yourself to a dish
from the Avoca Cookbook in the Terrace Cafe. |
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| The Gardens
The gardens at Powerscourt were laid out in two main periods. When
the house was rebuilt in the decade after 1731, the surrounding
grounds were also remodeled. The design reflected the desire to
create a garden which was part of the wider landscape. To the north
formal tree plantations framed the vista from the house, while a
walled garden, fish pond, cascades, grottos and terraces lay to
the south. Walks wound through the wooded grounds and a fine tree
lined avenue was created. A century later the 6th Viscount Powerscourt
instructed his architect, Daniel Robertson, to draw up new schemes
for the gardens.
Robertson was one of the leading proponents of Italianate garden
design which was influenced by the terraces and formal features
of Italian Renaissance villas and perfected in gardens in France
and Germany. Robertson designed the terrace nearest the house. He
is said to have suffered from gout and directed operations from
a wheelbarrow, fortified by a bottle of sherry. When the sherry
was finished, work ceased for the day!
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| The death of the 6th Viscount in 1844 meant that alterations
to the gardens ceased until his son resumed the work in the late
1850s. Using a combination of Robertson's designs and the plans
of the other landscape experts, the terraces were completed, enormous
numbers and varieties of trees were planted and the ground adorned
with an amazing collection of statuary, ironwork and other decorative
items. By the time of his death in 1904, the 7th Viscount had transformed
the Estate. Further generations of the Wingfields maintained the
grounds, adding the Japanese Gardens, Pepper Pot Tower and continuing
to plant specimen trees. In 1961 the Estate passed to the Slazenger
family, under whose aegis the Gardens received much more care and
attention.
Today the public continue to enjoy the gardens which first began
to take shape over two and a half centuries ago. The charming walled
garden, the striking terraces, fine statuary and varied trees are
linked by carefully designed walks and set in the magnificent surroundings
of the Wicklow Mountains.
As you leave Powerscourt Gardens, turn left for the 4ml (7km) journey
to Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland's highest waterfall. Turn left
as you leave the waterfall towards Glencree. As you come upon open
moorland, take the first turn left for the 5ml (8km) uphill drive
to the summit of Sally Gap. Sally Gap is one of two east-to-west
passes across the Wicklow Mountains and the narrow
road running through it passes above the dark waters of Lough Tay
and Lough Dan. It also passes over the Luggula Estate, which covers
most of the valley as far as Lough Dan and the area forms part of
the famed walking trail, known as the Wicklow Way. Take the R115
to Laragh and here you follow the signposts to Glendalough for just
a short distance. |
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Glendalough
Glendalough “the glen of the two lakes” is a truly
spellbinding place - an ancient monastic settlement and two clear
water lakes beneath the sheer cliffs of a deep valley, which was
carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age. The monastic settlement
has been a centre for pilgrims and visitors since its foundation
by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Kevin is thought to have come from
the more fertile lands of County Kildare and like many other men
of sanctity in early times, desired solitude for his life of prayer
and contemplation. Thus he withdrew into the thinly peopled mountains
and set up his hermitage at Glendalough. It is said that Kevin lived
as a hermit sleeping in a cave - St. Kevin's Bed - overlooking the
Upper Lake.
The settlement expanded and flourished for many years before being
finally destroyed in the 16th century. The present remains, some
of the most important of their kind in Ireland, tell only a small
part of the monastic story. The buildings which survive - round
tower, cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses - probably
date from between the 8th and 12th centuries. The famous Round Tower,
about 100ft (34m) high and 50 ft (16m) in circumference at the base,
is still in near perfect condition even though it is almost 1,000
years old. |
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| The excellent Glendalough Visitor Centre provides
regular exhibitions, informative guided tours of the monastic site
as well as an audio-visual show about the rich heritage of the area.
Elsewhere around the upper and lower lakes there are a number of well-known
walking routes, which allow visitors to take in as much or as little
of the surrounding scenery as they wish. Once the monastic capital
of Europe, Glendalough attracts up to 500,000 visitors annually.
This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Kevin in
the 6th century. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic
remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated
crosses. The Visitor Centre has an interesting exhibition and an
audio-visual show. French, German, Spanish and Swedish guided tours
are available all year by advance booking. Visitor Centre is fully
accessible for visitors with disabilities. Access to the graveyard
is very difficult for wheelchair users. |
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| After Glendalough return to the village of Laragh where you turn
right and south to the village of Rathdrum, whose main street is lined
with Stone Cottages. Here, follow the signs for Avondale House. Built
in 1779 Avondale House is set in the spectacular
surroundings of Avondale Forest Park, now a museum to the memory of
one of the greatest political leaders of modern Irish history, Charles
Stewart Parnell, who was born in Avondale on 27th June, 1846. Parnell
spent much of his time at Avondale until his death on 6 October 1891.
The House has been refurbished to the decor of 1850 and a specially
commissioned video has been produced to introduce visitors to Parnell
and Avondale. Additional features on site include a restaurant, coffee
shop, and gift shop.
Set in a magnificent forest park of over 500 acres with tree trails
and walks ranging in duration from one to five hours. This beautiful
Georgian House designed by James Wyatt and built in 1777 contains
fine plasterwork and many original pieces of furniture. The American
Room is dedicated to Admiral Charles Stewart - Parnell’s American
grandfather who manned the USS Constitution during the 1812 war.
Visitors are introduced to this wonderful historical house by a
specially commissioned audio visual presentation. Other facilities
include a restaurant, book shop, picnic areas, children’s
play
area, two orienteering courses and large car/coach park. |
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Leave Avondale to the left and soon the main road that will take
you through the beautiful Vale of Avoca to the “Meeting
of the Waters”. At the Meeting of the Waters, 3km
north of Avoca, the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers come together to
form the river Avoca. The adjacent pub and the area around this
landmark is renowned for traditional music and ballad sessions.
Continue on to Avoca where you will find the Avoca Handweavers
factory, famed worldwide for the quality of its woven fabrics. As
well as visiting its shop, you will be able to take a tour of the
factory in this most picturesque of villages. The village was also
the setting for the top television series “Ballykissangel”.
The Vale of Avoca & Avoca Handweavers
Inspired by a visit with friends to the Vale of Avoca, Thomas Moore
wrote the song "The Meeting of the Waters" to an old Irish
air, The Old Head of Dennis. The Meeting of the Waters is where
the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers come together to form the river
Avoca the dark wooded river valley of the Vale of Avoca begins.
The Vale begins at a confluence between the Avonmore (Abhainn Mór
- Big River) and Avonbeg (Little River), where they form the Avoca.
This new river is forded about three miles downstream by a wee village
of the same name, where you can visit the famous Avoca mill and
see an example of the handweaving craft which has made the place
famous.
The village makes an ideal place to make your base while you hike
through the vale, and this is by the far the best way to get a sense
of it. You can stroll along the riverbanks, or take a detour up
the valley and see if you can catch a glimpse of some of the small
furry creatures (no, not the Wicklow natives…) who get to
wake up every morning and live there.
Avoca Handweavers was founded in 1723 in an isolated
village called Avoca in County Wicklow, Ireland. The valley of Avoca
was rich in minerals such as copper, lead, zinc and gold. The little
Mill was at the heart of the community, spinning and weaving blankets
from the wool of the local sheep as well as grinding corn for bread.
Because the valley was so isolated and travel so difficult, a barter
system prevailed. The valley also made its own gold coins, samples
of which are in the National Museum in Dublin. |
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| The driving time of the above route will take in excess of 3 hours
(stoppage time not included) and if you are feeling tired; it is relatively
easy to omit some of the locations mentioned in order to shorten both
the route and the time. While Avoca is pinpointed as the end point
of this touring route, the accommodations may be in a different location
depending on the accommodation type that has been arranged. |
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The remaining details
of this itinerary
are included with your booking. |
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