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The Top 5 Things to Do in County Wicklow

The Top 5 Things to Do in County Wicklow

Posted by Adam Farley on 14th May 2019

Immediately to the south of Dublin is County Wicklow, known for its towering mountains, ancient Christian settlements, and beautiful estates. Day trips are popular from the country’s capital, so come with us as we take you through our list of the five best places in County Wicklow.

GLENDALOUGH MONASTIC SITE

(Wikimwdia Commons)

Founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century, the monastic ruins at Glendalough are one of Ireland’s most significant archeological sites and religious settlements. The site itself sits nestled between two lakes (the source of its name: gleann dá loch, literally “valley of two lakes”) and contains the ruins of a cathedral, a thousand-year-old round tower, and a charming little church known as St. Kevin’s Kitchen. The site was a crucial center for Christian learning for hundreds of years, until its sack by the Normans in the 13th century. The surrounding scenery is absolutely stunning, and it’s not difficult to imagine why the site became a place of pilgrimage for monks looking to immerse themselves in study and contemplation.

THE GREAT SUGARLOAF

(Visit Wicklow)

It may not be Ireland’s highest summit, or even Wicklow’s, but the Great Sugarloaf is surely one of the most iconic mountains in the country. Rising to 1,650 feet, its near perfect conical shape can be seen for miles around and is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the county.

WICKLOW MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

(Visit Wicklow)

The Wicklow Mountains themselves extend throughout nearly the entire county, but the portion reserved for the Wicklow Mountains National Park is particularly stunning in its mix of valleys, bogs, lakes and streams, forest and peaks. This 54,000-acre park is one of only six national parks in Ireland and was once a hotbed of mining activity, the remains of which can still be seen today. A popular day trip from Dublin, the park boasts a host of activities such as boating, climbing, hiking, swimming, and fishing.

POWERSCOURT ESTATE & WATERFALL

(Visit Wicklow)

Long held as one of the most beautiful gardens in Ireland and the globe (it was included at number three on National Geographic’s 2014 list of the World’s Top Ten Gardens), Powerscourt Estate is a sprawling 47-acre experience. Visitors can explore a range of meticulously-kept landscapes, including Japanese gardens, Italian gardens, a small walled garden, a formal tree plantation, fish ponds, grottos, and the magisterial Powerscourt Waterfall, which sends water tumbling forth over a 400-foot cliff and is the second highest falls on the island. The estate house itself dates back to the 13th century and was originally the seat of the Viscounts Powerscourt, who added the gardens in 1880 after touring the gardens at Versailles and Schönbrunn Palace near Vienna.

WICKLOW TOWN & WICKLOW GAOL

(Wicklow Gaol)

With a population of about 10,000, Wickow is a picturesque Irish harbor town that serves as the capital of the mid-east region of Ireland and dates back to the 8th century when it was founded by Viking raiders looking to get a foothold on the island. Numerous attractions lie waiting for tourists, including the Black Castle, constructed during the Norman invasion and looms over the town. But one of the most popular attractions in Wicklow town is the city’s historic 18th century gaol, which is said to be one of the most haunted places in Ireland due to the brutality of its former guards and atrocities suffered by inmates. Today, the gaol stands as a testament to a time of cruelty, the history of prison ships sent to Australia, and the passion of and severe reaction to the 1798 Rebellion.

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Have you been to County Wicklow? Did we leave your favorite destination off our list? Let us know in the comments below!