Page 139 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

DRIVE 12: Through the Sally Gap 137

Above left The River Vartry cascading
9 Wicklow Head conditions inside the dungeon. through Mount Usher gardens Above Ruins
Co Wicklow The building is supposed to be perched on the clifftop at Wicklow Head
This headland, rising 84 m (276 ft) haunted, so brave souls could try
above the sea, has been watched a night tour, held on the last Friday SHOPPING IN THE
over by two lighthouses since 1781, of every month. VALE OF AVOCA
when they were built to aid ships’ ª Follow the R750 out of Wicklow to
navigation through channels Rathnew and pass two roundabouts, Avoca Handweavers
Brightly coloured handwoven woollen
between the sand banks in the Irish following signs for Ashford. Mount scarves and throws can be bought at
Sea. The rear lighthouse on Long Hill Usher Gardens are on the right-hand the original Avoca mill. The Avoca
remains intact, and has been side on entering Ashford. Café serves delicious home-made
restored as holiday accommodation, baked beans with garlic and rosemary
on toasted ciabatta, pancakes with
while the front one was rebuilt in q Mount Usher Gardens fresh berries and similar delicacies.
1816. The third lighthouse, the only Ashford, Co Wicklow The Mill, Avoca; 0402 35105,
one currently in use, was built further Beautifully set along the River Vartry, www.avoca.com
down the cliff for greater visibility. these gardens (open daily; www.
ª Follow the R750 into Wicklow mountushergardens.ie) were EAT AND DRINK
Town and park near the Gaol. designed in 1868 by Edward Walpole
in the Robinsonian informal style AROUND THE VALE OF AVOCA
0 Wicklow Town made famous by the Irish gardener The Strawberry Tree expensive
Co Wicklow William Robinson (1838–1935). Award-winning organic restaurant in
The main attraction of Wicklow Town Meandering walks and pretty bridges an upmarket resort hotel, 15 km (11
miles) from Woodenbridge. Tasty
is its Historic Gaol (open Apr–Oct: daily; afford romantic views framed by rare dishes using locally sourced produce.
www.wicklowshistoricgaol.com). Built in shrubs and trees, from Chinese Brooklodge Hotel, Macreddin;
1702 and now a museum, it details conifers and bamboos to Mexican 0402 36444; www.brooklodge.com;
important episodes in Irish history, pines and pampas grass. Seasonal closed Mon
such as the 1798 Rebellion and the highlights include crocuses, bluebells AROUND WICKLOW TOWN
Great Famine. Visitors can climb and magnolias in spring, azaleas and Ballyknocken House and
aboard a reconstructed prison ship rhododendrons in early summer, and Cookery School moderate
and learn about prisoners’ harsh the glorious Maple Walk in autumn. See “Where to Stay”, left
DAY TRIP OPTIONS towards Laragh. Return on the R755 Powerscourt Estate 2 with an
Mountains, coast, vale or gardens, via Roundwood and Vartry reservoir. afternoon at Mount Usher Gardens q.
there are plenty of day trips that can The Vale of Avoca
be taken from Enniskerry or Wicklow. Follow directions to Powerscourt from
This valley has several interesting Enniskerry. Mount Usher is 26 km (16
Dip into the mountains stops, including Avondale House 6, miles) along the scenic coastal R761.
To sample the Wicklow Mountains, the Meeting of the Waters and Avoca
follow the Military Road, the R115, Handweavers in the Vale of Avoca 7. The Wicklow coast
from Glencree 3 to Laragh, turning Take the R750 from Wicklow, then the Drive around Wicklow Head 9 to
off at Glendalough 5 to picnic by R752 towards Avoca. spend the day at Brittas Bay 8, the
the lakes and see the ruins. finest beach on the east coast.
For gardeners
From Enniskerry follow signs to Compare and contrast two gardens Take the R750 from Wicklow Town,
Glencree and then join the R115 by combining a morning at the avoiding holidays when roads are busy.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €25; moderate, €25–€50; expensive, over €50

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