Avoca Village – set at the foot of a wooded hillside,
about ten miles north of Arklow, Avoca is one of the most beautiful
villages in Ireland but is probably better known to the world
as "Ballykissangel", a popular television series. Born
from the copper mining industry and set alongside the Avoca River,
the town is renowned for its hand weaving looms, while the beautiful
"Meetings of the Waters" is only a few miles from the
village.
Avondale House and Forest Park – situated five miles
from Rathdrum, this was home to Charles Stewart Parnell, one of
Ireland’s greatest political leaders. Built in 1780, today
a museum tells the history of Parnell’s life and political
endeavours, while the grounds offer over 200 acres of forested
land, ideal for picnics or outdoor activities. Poet, Thomas Moore,
in his poem "The Meeting of the Waters", immortalised
Avondale in verse.
Monastic Ruins
Glendalough – set in a deep glacial valley with comfortable
walks against a backdrop of the glen’s two lakes, this is
a significant 6th century monastic settlement, with seven churches
and a round tower. Founded by St. Kevin, Glendalough quickly became
a major monastic settlement in early Christian Ireland due to
St. Kevin’s reputation as a scholar. An interpretative centre
outlines the geographical and historical story of the glen.
Mount Usher Gardens – located just outside the village
of Ashford, the beautiful Mount Usher Gardens are well known for
the quality and quantity of its tree population, while the 20-acre
site provides one of the best examples of the romantic Robinsonian
style of garden.
National Sea Life Centre – located in Bray, the
centre features fascinating examples of marine life from shrimps
and octopus to sharks. It allows visitors to experience sea life
at first hand and get close to fish and other sea creatures through
multi-level viewing platforms.
Powerscourt House
Powerscourt House & Gardens – located six miles
west of Enniskerry, this 18th century house incorporates a terrace
café, exhibition and garden pavilion. The gardens are Ireland’s
best known and most visited of all exhibition gardens and comprise
47 acres of formal and walled gardens, sweeping terraces, ornamental
lakes, secret hollows, rambling walks and a huge variety of trees
and shrubs. One of the principal attractions is Powerscourt Waterfall,
which drops almost 400 feet into the river Dargle below.
Roundwood Village – while Roundwood claims to be
Ireland’s highest village, it is perhaps more notable as
the setting for films such as "Dancing at Lughnasa"
by Brian Friel and Pierce Brosnan’s film " The Nephew".
This is a particularly picturesque village is a popular stopping
off point with ramblers with its spectacular scenery and excellent
pubs.
Russborough House - located in Blessington and built
between 1740 and 1750, Russborough is one of the finest houses
in Ireland that is open to the public. The house is home to the
internationally renowned Beit Collection of paintings and is beautifully
maintained with fine displays of silver, bronze, porcelain, fine
furniture and tapestries.
