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 Itinerary
for the 10 Night Southern Ireland Self Drive/Chauffeured Tour |
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to Day Itinerary of your Self Drive Vacation: |
Dublin to Wicklow |
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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 are 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”. |
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| 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. |
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| 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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Wicklow to Wexford
Take the R747 to Arklow where you can join the main road, the N11,
to Enniscorty in the neighbouring county of Wexford. Enniscorthy
is an old Norman settlement and is situated on the banks of the
River Slaney overlooked by the old 1798 battle site of Vinegar Hill.
Dominating the town is the Norman Castle which was completed in
1205 and now houses the County Wexford Folk Museum. The museum gives
special emphasis to the part played by the local community in the
battles fought against English Rule.
From Enniscorthy, head to Wexford Town by the N11.This coastal region
is rich in heritage sites, tranquil villages, breathtaking scenery
and warm hospitality. First stop on this journey would be at the
Irish National Heritage Park just 3 miles before Wexford
Town on the N11. The Park, which is one of the country’s top
attractions, features replications of Irish homesteads, burial and
worship sites, and takes the visitor on tour through 9,000 years
of Irish history. |
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| From Wexford, travel on the R733 through Wellington Bridge. Just
west of the town on the R733 is a roadside stop on the left by a cemetery;
from here you can look across Bannow Bay to the ruins of Clonmines,
a Norman village established in the 13th century. This is one of the
finest examples of a walled medieval settlement in Ireland, with remains
of two churches, three tower houses, and an Augustinian priory. You
can drive to the ruins - just follow the R733 another mile west to
a left turn posted for the Coastal Pathway, and continue straight
on this road where the Coastal Pathway turns right. The ruins are
on private land, so you should ask permission at the farmhouse at
the end of the road. |
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| Continuing west on the R733, turn left onto the R734 at the sign
for the Ring of Hook, and turn right at the sign for Tintern
Abbey . The abbey was founded by the monks of Tintern in
South Wales in the 13th century, and it has been much altered. The
grounds are beautiful and contain a restored stone bridge that spans
a narrow sea inlet. The remains consist of nave, chancel, tower, chapel
and cloister. It was partly converted into living quarters after 1541,
and further adapted over the centuries. The Abbey was occupied by
the Colclough family from the 16th century until 1960s. |
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| At Baginbun Head is a fine beach nestled against the cliffs, from
which you can see the outline of the Norman earthwork fortifications
on the head. Here the Norman presence in Ireland was first established
with the victory of Norman forces over the Irish at the Battle of
Baginbun.
At the tip of the peninsula is Hook Lighthouse.
The Lighthouse is a unique example of an almost intact medieval
lighthouse. It dates from the early 13th century and was a major
feat at the time of its construction. Purpose built as a lighthouse,
it has served sailors and shipping for 800 years, apart from a short
closure during the 17th century. It is thought to be one of the
oldest operational lighthouses in the world. When the Tower of Hook
became fully automated in 1996 and no longer needed resident keepers,
it was decided to celebrate its uniqueness by opening it to the
public as a heritage centre. |
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The remaining details
of this itinerary
are included with your booking. |
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