County Wicklow

Dublin's southern suburbs give way to the beautiful scenery of County Wicklow. Known as the "Garden of Ireland," its landscape ranges from seaside resorts with white-sand beaches to granite mountains and the distinctive Great Sugar Loaf peak; from the deep, quiet forests of Wicklow Mountains National Park to the thundering Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in Ireland; and from bleak, windswept boglands to pretty, green valleys. The natural landscape is complemented by some of Ireland's most impressive man-made gardens at Powerscourt House and Mount Usher, and one of its most important early monastic sites at Glendalough, with a ...

Dublin's southern suburbs give way to the beautiful scenery of County Wicklow. Known as the "Garden of Ireland," its landscape ranges from seaside resorts with white-sand beaches to granite mountains and the distinctive Great Sugar Loaf peak; from the deep, quiet forests of Wicklow Mountains National Park to the thundering Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in Ireland; and from bleak, windswept boglands to pretty, green valleys. The natural landscape is complemented by some of Ireland's most impressive man-made gardens at Powerscourt House and Mount Usher, and one of its most important early monastic sites at Glendalough, with a well-preserved round tower. For an exciting approach, take the R115 from Glencree across the moorlands through Sally Gap and on to Laragh. A gentler drive takes you south through the Vale of Avoca and its lush, riverside woodlands. At Avoca Handweavers, you can tour Ireland's oldest working mill. West of the mountains at Blessington, palatial Russborough House hosts a superb art collection. Along the coast are the historic towns of Wicklow and Arklow, the seaside resort of Bray, and the spectacular dunes and beaches at Brittas Bay.

About the Expert

Donna Dailey is the author of Thomas Cook’s Ireland driving guide, coauthor of DK’s Back Roads Ireland and several other titles, as well as the author of Thomas Cook’s HotSpots Costa Blanca and a contributor to AA Publishing’s Key Guide Spain.