3 nights · Heritage

History & Heritage Weekend

Glendalough monastic city, Wicklow Gaol, Russborough House, Avondale (Charles Stewart Parnell's home), the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre. Wicklow told through its buildings, over three walking-lite days.

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12 km
Walking
3 nights
Length
Easy
Grade
Day by day

The plan

Day 1 — Glendalough monastic city

  • Arrive Glendalough late morning. Check in.
  • Afternoon at the monastic city: round tower, cathedral, Saint Kevin's Kitchen, Reefert Church. 2-hour self-guided walk. Visitor centre is excellent and well worth the €5.
  • Dinner at Lynham's in Laragh — traditional pub, decent food, music Friday nights.

Day 2 — Wicklow Town: Gaol & coastline

  • Drive 40 minutes to Wicklow Town.
  • Morning: Wicklow Historic Gaol — one of the best-preserved 19th-century gaols in Ireland, with a chilling exhibition on 1798, transportation to Australia, and (yes) ghost tours.
  • Lunch at the Bakehouse on the Quay or the Harbour Pub.
  • Afternoon: the Cliff Walk north from Wicklow harbour, or drive to Brittas Bay for a beach walk.
  • Back to Glendalough for dinner.

Day 3 — Avondale & Russborough

  • Morning at Avondale House — the family seat of Charles Stewart Parnell, one of the most important figures in 19th-century Irish politics. The new Beyond the Trees treetop walk is included.
  • Lunch at Avondale's café.
  • Afternoon: Russborough House, 45 minutes west. 18th-century Palladian. The Beit art collection. Walled gardens. Allow 2.5 hours.
  • Evening drive home via the Sally Gap for the best light.
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