All about Glendalough

Glendalough is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Wicklow and indeed all of Ireland. It is unsurprising given the stunning landscape, historic ruins and beautiful walks on offer at this unique location.

Glendalough (or Gleann Da Loch, meaning ‘The Glen of the Two Lakes’) is situated in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which has over one million visitors every year.

The ancient monastery on the site is a fascinating site, having been founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. The round tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the area. The site also includes a Celtic high cross, St. Mary’s Church and St. Kevin’s Church. The remains of three stone crosses and a stone fort are also to be found between the upper and lower lakes.

St. Kevin originally chose Glendalough because of its beautiful and remote setting. As more followers joined him, the settlement grew and grew, becoming a school. As well as the historic monastery, the remains of the Glendalough and Glenasan Mines are also to be found nearby.

For more information on Glendalough during your visit, the Glendalough Visitor Centre is a must-see. It is situated adjacent to the monastic settlement and as well as an exhibition, contains an audio-visual demonstration. 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.

The Education Centre provides a range of courses and tours for schoolchildren, students and other groups. These are related to nature conservation and the ecology of the National Park. The centre is accessible for people with disabilities.

Glendalough truly is a goldmine of Irish heritage and is the home to many different species of plant and animal life. The Wicklow Mountains National Park is an ideal location to learn more about the flora and fauna of Glendalough, where wildlife habitats thrive and grow in the natural countryside.

Open Activity Days at Kippure Estate

Wicklow County Tourism members Kippure Estate in Blessington will be holding a series of open activity days this summer.

From May to September, during weekends only, Kippure will offer an afternoon of exhilarating outdoor activities specifically for individuals, couples and smaller families.

These events will take place between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Please arrive around 15 minutes earlier. These special days will take place every Saturday and Sunday from 2nd May to 13th September and on the May, June and August bank holidays.

Kippure Estate offers a combination of climbing and/or ropes based activities (suitable for adults and kids aged eight plus.) The cost of the adventure activity day includes all specialist instruction, equipment and waterproof clothing.

Cost is €25 per person for residents of Kippure’s self catering houses and €39 per person for non-residents. More information is available from the Kippure, pre-booking is essential. Please book your place latest two days prior to the activity day.

For more information contact +353 (0)1 4582889 or log onto http://www.kippure.com/

For regular tourist news log onto www.visitwicklow.ie/news

Complimentary Bike Hire at Ritz Carlton

Wicklow County Tourism Members, The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt are now offering guests the opportunity to see the breathtaking landscape around Powerscourt Estate and further afield by bicycle. This is the first hotel in Ireland to offer guests complimentary bicycles, allowing visitors to take in the scenery and enjoy an exquisite Ritz-Carlton picnic at their leisure. Maps are offered to cyclists with three different routes, varying from easy to challenging.

Gourmet picnic baskets are available to guests who would like to explore the countryside at a more leisurely pace and stop for a picnic along the way. Guests can choose from delicious options such as traditional Irish smoked salmon and brown bread, creamy Colcannon soup, Slaney Valley lamb chops with potato mousseline, home made Paté with pickles and horseradish cream and Irish Guinness beef pie. There is also a children’s option and all picnics come pre-packed in custom-designed baskets.

The range of male and female Skeppshult Bicycles in bottle green to reflect the landscape, are of the highest standard and include a Brookes leather saddle, eight speed automatic gears and light sensor LED headlamp and rear light. The hotel will also be happy to provide guests with a safety helmet and a route map, depending on the guest’s preference, ensuring an enjoyable day for everyone involved.

If guests would like to be guided through more difficult terrain, they may avail of the Cycling Concierge who, at an extra cost will guide the more experienced cyclists through the Wicklow Mountains. Home to the Tour de France in 1998, this route is not for the faint hearted but the views are quite breathtaking and well worth the exertion for active people. As a past doctor to the Irish Olympic Team and an avid cyclist covering 100 miles per week, this concierge will not fail to impress and recommends bringing their own bicycle!

For more information on the Ritz Carlton, Powerscourt click here

Russborough House

Russborough was built in 1741 by Joseph Leeson , the first Earl of Milltown, a brewer who was also a Member of Parliament. He chose the German architect Richard Cassells to design his new home. Russborough is not only regarded as one of Ireland’s most beautiful houses but it also has a spectacular setting with magnificent views of the Blessington lakes and the Wicklow mountains beyond.
Sir Alfred and Lady Beit bought Russborough in 1952 having seen an advertisement for it in Country Life magazine. In 1976 Sir Alfred established the Alfred Beit Foundation, a registered charity, and opened the house to the public for guided tours. The house which is beautifully maintained and lavishly furnished contains fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain and silver and part of the Beit collection of paintings. It has magnificent ceilings, plasterwork and a fabulous mahogany staircase.
A parkland walk, with magnificent views of the house, has recently been opened to the public which takes up to one hour and is popular with both adults and children. A 2,000 square metre Beech Hedge Maze is also very popular with children who need to find their way to the statue of Cupid on a central pillar in the middle of the Maze. There is also a 200 year old ‘Hippodrome’ building used for training horses in past centuries which is interesting to visit.
A cafe and shop are also available for light lunches and souvenirs. See http://www.russborough.ie/ for information on concerts, candlelight evenings, outdoor theatre, farmers markets etc. Click play below to view RTE's Nationwide programme highlighting the beauty and history of Russborough House.

For more info logon to: http://www.visitwicklow.ie/attractions/russborough_house.htm