Vacation Guide

Ireland golf vacation guide : To do and see

WICKLOW

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.

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 & 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.