County Wicklow

Less than an hour south of Dublin, a mountain landscape of heather, peat, and dark lakes begins, so empty it feels like it must be much farther away. A trip to County Wicklow takes you into the "Garden of Ireland," with early medieval monastic ruins, magnificent gardens, and a coastline dotted with seaside resorts.

Mountains and Coast

Most of the county is taken up by the Wicklow Mountains, a granite massif whose highest peak is Lugnaquilla. The national park protects bogs, forests, and valleys such as Glenmacnass. The Military Road, built in the early 19th century to keep tabs on rebels, is now one of Ireland's most scenic panoramic drives. On the coast lies Bray, a Victorian seaside resort with a promenade, from which a cliff path leads to Greystones. The town of Wicklow itself has a small harbor and an old jail that now serves as a museum.

Sights in County Wicklow

Glendalough is the best-known spot: St. Kevin founded a monastery here in the 6th century, and its round tower, churches, and graveyard sit between two lakes. Hiking trails run along the Upper Lake and up to the Spinc. Powerscourt near Enniskerry, with its terraces, Japanese Garden, and Ireland's tallest waterfall, ranks among the most famous gardens in Europe. Other highlights include Mount Usher Gardens, the Avoca Valley with Ireland's oldest handweavers, and the Wicklow Way, the country's first marked long-distance hiking trail.

Getting There and Best Time to Visit

The DART train runs as far as Bray and Greystones, and buses go to Glendalough. A car is handy for the mountains. The best time to visit is between April and October; the rhododendrons bloom in May, and the heather in late summer. Wicklow has served as a filming location for numerous movies and series, including "Braveheart" and "Vikings." It is also a popular day-trip destination from Dublin: the Sally Gap, a pass at about 500 meters (1,640 feet), opens up views of the dark Lough Tay, nicknamed "Guinness Lake" for its color and shape. In the valleys around Roundwood and Laragh, country inns serve lamb stew and fresh bread, while in Avoca and Kilmacanogue, cafés sell cakes and woolen goods from the long-established weavery.