| County Wicklow |
| The Wicklow Mountains |
Accommodation, bed and breakfast, hotels Wicklow |
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Accommodation_Wicklow
The
highest peak (Lugnaquilla) of the Wicklow Mountains could be called a
big hill as it is only 924m high. Deep valleys between the mountains
and the desolation of some areas contribute to the wilderness of the
Wicklow Mountains. ENISKERRY is a lovely village which is home to the
magnificent Powerscourt Estate (call 204 6000 for information or visit
www.powerscourt.ie, a popular day trip from Dublin. The magnificent
estate comprises of a house which was originally a castle but has been
destroyed by fire and still undergoes renovation ; and of splendid
landscaped gardens which lay across 20 hectares. The Powerscourt
Waterfall are 7km from the estate and are the highest waterfall in
Britain and Ireland. Not far from Eniskerry is GLENCREE, a peaceful
hamlet set into the side of the valley and which opens to the mountains
and the sea, where lies a German cemetery.
The SALLY GAP and the WICKLOW GAP are the two main passes across the
Wicklow Mountains. Around the Sally Gap you will follow the young
stream of the River Liffey and will notice that turfcutters have cut
the bogs in the area. The Wicklow Gap offers some fine scenery and
views of Mt Tonelagee and the Table Mountain.
Even though you may not be aware of it when in ROUNDWOOD, it is
supposed to be the highest town in Ireland as it lays at 238m above sea
level. Like in many other towns in the area, you will enjoy fine views.
One could say that GLENMACNASS is 'lost in the middle of nowhere' as no
house, building or any kind of life apart from wild bogland is to be
seen or even sensed on the desolate part of the Military Road which
leads to it. Glenmacnass Waterfall is worth stopping though as it
cascades down the mountain plateau. GLENDALOUGH Glendalough is a
magical and almost mystical place. Its name (from 'Gleann dá Loch')
literally means the 'Valley of the Two Lakes'. The magnificent scenery
of the site and the most significant ancient monastic settlements in
Ireland makes of Glendalough a highly popular and picturesque walking
destination. In the late 5th century Kevin, a priest, arrived in the
valley and set up home there, having decided to live as a hermit.
Unfortunately for him, people heard of his lifestyle and joined him. By
the 9th century the settlement of Glendalough had grown into Ireland's
premier monastic city. The monastery died over the years due to a
number of raids from the Vikings and finally the English forces in the
late 14th century.
At the entrance of the valley, the Glendalough Visitor Centre (call
45325 or 45352 for information) has useful information for visitors to
the site and also proposes a 20-minute audiovisual presentation on the
Irish monasteries.
The Lower Lake lies in the lower part of the valley. Just inside the
entrance to the monastic site you will notice a slab with an incise
cross. The site comprises of several buildings and a graveyard which is
still in use. The Upper Lake is where Kevin settled on his arrival, at
the base of the cliffs which surround its southern side. A sign points
to the cave where Kevin supposedly lived, described as 'Kevin's Bed'.
The best way to enjoy the many beauties of Glendalough is walking. You
can hike along the northern shore of the Upper Lake t the lead and zinc
mine workings (1800), walk up Spink Mountain or even up Camaderry
Mountain and back. If you decide to sleep over a number of youth
hostels, B&Bs and hotels will welcome you. Getting around the
Wicklow Mountains Several tour operators offer half or full day tours
of the area :
Bus Eireann (call 01-836 6111 for information or visit
www.buseireann.ie): Glendalough and Wicklow Panorama Tour
Aran Tours (call 01-280 7899 for information or visit
www.wildcoachtours.com): Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall, Wild
Wicklow Tours (including Glendalough) Irish Rover Tours (call 01-836
4684 for information or visit www.tirnanogtours.com): Full day tours of
Wicklow Mary Gibbons Tours (call 283 9973 for information): Powerscourt
and Glendalough Dublin Bus line 44 will take you to Eniskerry or you
can take the DART train to Bray and from then catch bus 185 from the
DART station. Alpine Coaches will take you from the DART station in
Bray to Powerscourt Waterfall and Powerscourt Estate. St-Kevin’s Bus
runs twice daily (late morning and late afternoon) to Glendalough from
St Stephen’s Green in Dublin (call 01-281 8119 for information). There
is also a service twice daily from Glendalough to Dublin. The bus has a
stop at Roundwood. |
| PS : official web site of the Wicklow Mountains
http://www.wicklow.ie/ |
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The Wicklow Mountains - Waterfalls near to Glendalough
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The Wicklow Mountains - Round tower
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The Wicklow Mountains - nature
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The Wicklow Mountains - Road on the Wicklow Mountains
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