Planning a holiday in Ireland – Things to do in Wicklow!
Things to do in Greenan, Wicklow. Things to do locally in Wicklow. Things to do on a day trip from Dublin.
Will Wheeler and I have lived in Co. Wicklow all our lives. It’s just an hour south of Dublin but you couldn’t be further from the city stress and busy noisy urban life. Wicklow is the Garden of Ireland full of wild rolling hills, beautiful countryside, wonderful long sandy beaches, abundant with trees and wildlife, peaceful hill walking and friendly locals who actually really love where we live. Being so close to Dublin we get plenty of day trippers but actually it’s worth staying and enjoying the Wild Wicklow Way and our green tranquil haven of beauty.
Anita actually compiled a Wicklow Tourist Directory while she worked for Failte Ireland temporarily but it never got published. We have it printed in each of our 3 Shepherds Huts onsite and it lists all you would ever need to know about things to do in Wicklow, places to visit for adults and children, places to eat and drink locally and other relevant information if you are every planning a holiday in Wicklow, Ireland.
The best time to visit Wicklow is from April to September but now is just as good as any other time too.
The first thing you need to do is check out Wicklow Tourism – www.visitwicklow.ie. Then book your accommodation with us in our Wicklow Wild Glamping and Shepherds Huts see here our instagram for photos: https://www.instagram.com/wicklowwildglamping/
We will do a separate blog for families with kids and fun places to visit with children but for the moment heres some suggestions for adults and things to do in Co. Wicklow. We hope you enjoy our suggestions and let us know what you think?
Check out the great Walks and hikes in the Wicklow Hills or Wicklow Mountains and plan it here: – https://visitwicklow.ie/wicklow-walks/
For Foraging do a guided walk with our best friend Geraldine: Wicklow Wild Foods – Wicklow Wild Foods
If you fancy learning about mushrooms then contact our friend Courtney at Hips and Haws Wildcrafts – Hips and Haws Wildcrafts
For the one and only GOAT and queen of sauans then check out the wild sauna: Bosca Beatha – Glenmalure – Sept to Mar – Bosca Beatha – https://www.boscabeatha.ie/
We have a sauna onsite at our Shepherds Huts but Shirley’s is the original and the best. Go for a pint afterwards in the Glenmalure Lodge if you can. Or she does sauna courses too.
For a spot of surfing visit our friends Hugh and Karen at Brittas Bay Surf School – http://brittasbaysurfschool.com/
For Mountain Biking check : Biking.ie – https://www.biking.ie/
Go and find the best ranger Hugh McLindon in WMNP or volunteer with him with Rewild Wicklow or buy a Voucher: ReWild Wicklow
For Hikes and Events in Wicklow Mountains National Park check here – Wicklow Mountains National Park
For Guided Tours: Glendalough Visitors Centre – https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/glendalough-visitor-centre/
For Eco Education at a Wicklow nature reserve: Wildacres – https://wildacres.ie/
For Crafts Workshops check here: Windrush Farm – https://windrushfarm.ie/
For Arts & Music & Culture Events: Courthouse Arts Centre Tinahely – https://www.courthousearts.ie/the-courthouse/
For Pottery: Crannmor Pottery – https://www.crannmorpottery.com/
For a Family Fun Water Adventure Park: Clara Lara Funpark – https://www.claralara.ie/
Big new attraction in Wicklow – Tree Top Walks: Beyond the Trees Avondale – https://www.beyondthetreesavondale.com/
For Heritage Tours: Avondale House – https://www.beyondthetreesavondale.com/avondale-house/living-history-tour/
For a wonderful garden visit: Mount Usher Gardens – http://www.mountushergardens.ie/
For Craft Beer and Great Food check: Wicklow Brewery – https://wicklowbrewery.ie/
For the BEST Craft Beer: Wicklow Wolf Brewery – https://wicklowwolf.com/
Biking: Biking.ie – https://www.biking.ie/
To Book Accommodation Locally check the following links:
The Glenmalure Lodge – Glenmalure Lodge or https://www.glenmalurelodge.ie/
Brook Lodge Hotel & Spa, Macreddin – Brooklodge – https://www.brooklodge.com/
Hidden Valley Resort – https://www.hiddenvalley.ie/
Clissmann Horse Caravans & Glamping – https://clissmannhorsecaravans.com/
Tipi Adventures Ireland – https://www.tipiadventures.ie/
The Old Forge Glamping – https://theoldforgeglamping.ie/
Turrock Cottage Shillelagh -mbythewicklowway@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/bythewicklowway
Arklow Bay Hotel Sea Road Arklow WEB: http://www.arklowbay.com/ EMAIL: reservations@arklowbay.com
TEL: +353402 32309Arklow Bridge Hotel, Bridge Street, Arklow WEB: http://www.arklowbridgehotel.com EMAIL: bridgearklow@gmail.com TEL: +353 402 31666
The Woodenbridge Hotel, Vale of Avoca, Woodenbridge WEB: https://www.woodenbridgehotel.com EMAIL: reservations@woodenbridgehotel.com TEL: +353 402 35146
The Brook Lodge Hotel Macreddin Village WEB: http://www.brooklodge.com/ EMAIL: info@brooklodge.com TEL: +353 402 36444
The Glendalough Hotel, Laragh, Glendalough
WEB: http://www.glendaloughhotel.com EMAIL: info@glendaloughhotel.ie TEL: +353 404 45135
Lynhams of Laragh, Laragh Glendalough WEB: https://lynhamsoflaragh.ie/ EMAIL: info@lynhamsoflaragh.ie
TEL: 00 353 404 45345
Hunters Hotel, Newrath Bridge, Rathnew WEB: http://www.hunters.ie/ EMAIL: reception@hunters.ie
TEL: +353 404 40106
Tinakilly House Hotel, Main Street, Rathnew WEB: http://www.tinakilly.ie/ email: reception@tinakilly.ie TEL +353 404 69274
Bel-Air Hotel B&B, Ashford WEB: http://www.belairhotelequestrian.com/ EMAIL: belairhotel@eircom.net TEL: +353 404 40109
Glenview Hotel, Glen of the Downs, Delgany WEB: http://www.glenviewhotel.com EMAIL: sales@glenviewhotel.com TEL: +353 1 2873399
Eat & Drink Locally
Glenmalure Lodge – 0404-46188 – https://www.glenmalurelodge.ie/
Brook Lodge Hotel – The Strawberry Tree, Armento’s, Acton’s Pub – 0402-36444 – https://www.brooklodge.com/
Bates Restaurant Rathdrum – 0404 29988 – http://batesrestaurant.com/
Pineto’s Rathdrum – 0404 46137 https://www.facebook.com/PinetoTakeAwayRathdrum/
Mickey Finns Pub – Redcross – Wicklow Brewery – https://wicklowbrewery.ie/
Avoca restaurant – Ashford – Mount Usher Gardens – http://www.mountushergardens.ie/
Avoca cafe – Avoca – +353 0 402 35105 – https://www.avoca.com/en/stores-and-cafes/village
Pats Pizza Kitchen – Aughrim – 086-7864790
The Grainstore – The Meath Arms / Phelans / Paddys Pub – Main St. Aughrim (0402) 36460
https://www.facebook.com/TheMeathArms/
Other Things To Do in Wicklow….
Genealogy and Canada Connections: Coollattincanadianconnection.com
Public Transport
TRAINS: https://www.irishrail.ie – Dublin to Rosslare – get off at Rathdrum – Timetable: https://www.irishrail.ie/IrishRail/media/Timetable-PDF-s/Connolly-DART-timetables/08_dublin-rosslare.pdf
BUS: Buseireann.ie – Bus Éireann Route 133L, Arklow – Wicklow – Get off at Rathdrum – Timetable: https://buseireann.ie/timetable/2843.pdf
BUS: Local link – BUS 183 – get off at Rathdrum –
Timetable: https://locallinkckw.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TFI-LL-R183-Sallins-to-Arklow-WEB5.pdf
DUNBAR TAXI – PH: 087-8176630
RATHDRUM TAXI – PH: 087-9561111
TAXI RATHDRUM – PH: 087-2605346