Wicklow tour (8 hour)

Highlights include Coastal scenic drive along Dublin Bay - Powerscourt House and Gardens - Photo stop in the mountains at Lough Tay and the Sally Gap - Ancient monastic ruins of Glendalough.

Wicklow County is just south of Dublin and it is known as "The Garden of Ireland" which is no mean feat considering how green the rest of our little island is. The landscapes and colours are really quite something. Through lush green pastures, barren mountains and the rivers and forests of Wicklow you will drive having taken the scenic coastal road along Dublin Bay to escape the city. Wicklow hosts some excellent historical sites also and in Glendalough and Powerscourt House and Gardens you will take in two of the finest. Powerscourt Gardens were voted the 3rd most beautiful gardens in the world by National Geographic and they are set in some of the finest scenery in Ireland. You do not have to enjoy gardens to love this place. Glendalough in Irish means "Valley of the Two Lakes" and it is both historic and beautiful in equal measure. The valley houses the fabulous ruins of a monastic settlement from the 6th Century AD. After lunch in the Wicklow Heather or elsewhere you have the option of visiting one of the following.

Dublin Bay

You would leave the city by the scenic coastal route alongside Dublin Bay. You will discover the history and beauty of the areas that lie along the Bay and you will pass through some of the finest residential areas in Ireland.

Powerscourt House and Gardens

The tour will take you to Powerscourt House and Gardens, designed by Richard Cassells in 1731. Over the centuries the gardens were expanded and include the Italianate front gardens designed by Daniel Robertson, a Japanese garden, a pet's cemetery, a walled garden, numerous statues acquired from across Europe, a dolphin pond and many other interesting and sometimes quirky garden areas. The gardens descending the hill in front of the house are backed by the peaks of the 506m-high Sugarloaf Mountain. Voted the 3rd most beautiful gardens in the world by National Geographic Traveller magazine. Stunning, historic, beautiful and interesting.

Sally Gap

Take a short drive up into the mountains to take in a change of landscape and some breath taking wild scenery overlooking Lough Tay. This area is the location for the Viking television series and many movies including Braveheart and Excalibur.

Glendalough

"Gleann da Loch" (Valley of the Two Lakes) - One of our favourite places. Not only is the site of great historical significance it is also spectacularly set in a deep valley beside two ancient lakes. Tranquil, remote and beautiful, Glendalough was a place of pilgrimage for centuries following its establishment as a monastic centre by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains and forests that sweep down to the lakes it is one of Ireland's most popular and important attractions.

You will see a 100 foot high Round Tower (10-12th century) that was used as a bell tower, store and as a beacon/landmark to guide pilgrims from afar, the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul (10th century) and the remarkably well preserved St. Kevin's Church (also known as St. Kevin's Kitchen). Also on show is the 11foot high Celtic stone cross called "St Kevin's Cross". The settlement was over the years attacked by Vikings but the arrival of the Anglo-Normans in Ireland sealed the fate of Glendalough. In 1214 the Diocese of Glendalough was united with the See of Dublin. After that, Glendalough went into decline as a monastic establishment and gradually it became deserted.