Wicklow Day Tour Preview

Powerscourt Estate comprises Powerscourt House and Gardens, Powerscourt Hotel, Powerscourt Golf Club, and Powerscourt Distillery.

Powerscourt House is an 18th-century Palladian-style house located near the little village of Enniskerry in County Wicklow. The house was built by the famous German architect Richard Cassels in 1741 on commission by the First Viscount Powerscourt, Richard Wingfield. The 68 room mansion was built around the original 13th-century castle that stood on the site.

Parking for this visit is located just past the house and across from the garden center. Once you have parked your car, walk back to the house to begin your visit. The Distillery is located in the old mill house, just past the garden center.

Powerscourt Waterfall

Located about 5 kilometers from the main Powerscourt Estate, and set on the river Dargle at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt Waterfall is the highest waterfall in Ireland standing at 121 meters (398 feet),

As you drive from the gate lodge towards the waterfall you are surrounded by Beech, Oak, Larch and Pine trees, some of which were planted over 200 years ago. Look out for the Giant Redwoods (also known as Sequoia), which are native to Northern California and grow up to 80m high.

Your map pin for this stop will take you just inside the gate of the attraction, a short drive to the main parking area, This car park is just a short, scenic stroll from the waterfall, There is plenty of parking space here and adjacent to the parking area are bathroom facilities, a shop/café, and a picnic area. There is also a playground for children. Once you have parked your car, click on the “X” on your navigation map to exit it. You can click on the button under “Learn More” for a link to a website with useful information on opening times, ticket information, and a map of the area around the Waterfall. There is the potential of seeing a wide variety of wildlife in the area including birds such as the Chaffinch, Cuckoo, Raven and the Willow Warbler. Animals such as the Red Squirrel and Sika Deer may also be encountered.

A King's Near Miss!

In 1821, King George IV visited Powerscourt. In expectation of the King's visit, and to show the power and magnificence of the Waterfall, Richard Wingfield (5th Viscount Powerscourt) dammed the river above the waterfall to release a massive deluge of water. However, the King spent too long at the banquet table and never went to see it. This turned out to be a stroke of good luck, as when the water was released, it washed away the specially-built viewing platform on which he was to stand!

Lough Tay is one of the most photographed locations in Wicklow. The stunning scenery of the Lake surrounded by the Djouce and Luggala mountains makes it one of the most iconic locations in Ireland. Lough Tay is fed by the Cloghoge River and then drains into Lough Dan, located further south. The beach on the northern side comprises bright white sand which was imported by the Guinness family who’s estate ran through part of the Lough Tay area.

Lough Tay was used as a filming location for the movie "Excalibur" and more recently, as the set of the fictional village of "Kattegat" in the drama series "Vikings"

The road is very narrow when you first see the lake, and there is limited parking. Be assured, however, that there are plenty of pull-in areas as you head further up the road with wonderful photo opportunities. The map pin is located at one such location, Please be aware that while photo stops along the road are welcome, descending by foot to the lake is not recommended as much of the area is privately owned and public right of way may be limited.

Turn Left at the crossroads up ahead on to Military Road. This area is known as the “Sally Gap”.This is the highest point on the mountainous road from Powerscourt to Glendalough.

The name “The Sally Gap” is thought to have derived from the old Irish name for the area “Bearna Bhealach Sailearnán” literaly meaning “The Gap Of The Willow Way” The straight, narrow branches of the willow tree that were used for thatching the roofs of traditional Irish houses were known as “Sally Rods”.

The Military Road was so named as it was built just after the 1798 Irish Rebellion. British Crown forces recognized that while there was plenty of access for troop movement from east to west throughout the country, there was little or no access from north to south, particularly through the Wicklow mountains, and there were fears of a French invasion on the east coast. The mountains had proven to be a strong hiding place for Irish Rebel forces.

Work on a road that would facilitate troop movements began in late 1800 and finished in 1809.

The Glenmacnass River originates high in the Wicklow mountains and follows the Old Military Road from the Sally Gap and on down through Glenmacnass valley where it joins the Avonmore river near the village of Laragh. The Glenmacnass Waterfall drops about 80 meters over 3 staggered drops and is one of the most photographed locations by visitors to the Wicklow Mountains. The map pin takes you to a car park above the Waterfall, 2 minutes walk back to the best photo stop.

Glendalough, located in the Wicklow mountains, was founded around the 6th century by Saint Kevin and is one of the most important early Christian, monastic sites in Ireland.

The settlement consists of a number of monastic structures, the most impressive being the Round Tower which stands 30m high. The main group of monastic buildings lies near the Round Tower.

Access to the site is by way of the Visitor center where there is a museum, bathroom facilities, and the option of a short video.

The map pin for this stop takes you to the main car park by the visitor center.

Mount Usher Gardens, located in the quiet, picturesque village of Ashford in County Wicklow, was created in 1868 by Edward Walpole. It remained in the Walpole family until 1980 when it was purchased by Mrs. Madelaine Jay who leased it to the current tenants, Avoca, in 2007. The garden, which covers 9 hectares (23 acres) through which the Vartry River runs, is one of the finest examples of a "Robinsonian" garden in the world, and is home to many Champion Trees of Ireland, with as many as 5000 different varieties of trees, shrubs, and plants.

Mount Usher is a garden to visit at any time of the year, there is always something to see and experience. The Avoca Shop and Café are an added bonus to this visit.