Wicklow attractions

If our Kid’s Outdoor Adventure Park looks fun, just wait until you get to the Clara Lara Fun Park! This family outdoor adventure park has an abundance of activities including waterslides, boating lakes, tree houses, playgrounds, assault courses and go-carts. This 100-acre fun park, set amongst breathtaking scenery, is just minutes away

A beautiful heart-shaped lake on the northeastern side of Tonelagee formed by glacial erosion. The lake is only accessible by foot via a few different trails which challenging at times are also worth the effort and amazing photo op!

Brittas Bay is one of the finest beaches on the east coast of Ireland. This award-winning beach offers 5km (3 miles) of beautiful, clean beaches and white sand dunes. The beach has won a European Union (EU) Blue Flag for five consecutive years. Ideal for swimming, bathing, sailing, and walking, it is home to native wildlife species and plants.

A popular attraction in beautiful countryside, the museum offers tearooms, animals, craft shops – if you can find your way out of the maze of course! Nature walks and exhibits dating back over 100 years ago when traditional hill farming was horse-powered

Avondale house, of 18th century design, is situated amid the beautiful surroundings of Avondale Forest Park in Rathdrum. Built by Samuel Hayes in 1779, this two-storey house is now a museum to the memory of one of the greatest political leaders of modern Irish history, Charles Stewart Parnell. The extensive grounds are well-marked with nature and trekking trails.

Beyond The Trees – a fully accessible treetop walk and viewing tower with slide.

Meaning literally ‘Valley of Two Lakes’, the Glendalough valley features an ancient monastery founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century built on the wooded slopes of a valley with two clear water lakes beneath the sheer cliffs. Attractions include the church of St. Kevin, a full round tower and St Kevin’s cross. St Kevin’s bed – where St Kevin is alleged to have lived as a hermit – cannot be accessed due to its difficult location, but it can be seen from the east bank of the upper lake. The monastic settlement has been a centre for pilgrims and visitors since its foundation and the surrounding valley provides a plethora of enticing walks and treks for all ages and abilities

These intricate, beautiful gardens are a perfect example of the splendour of Wicklow’s past. With plants and trees dating from 1860, the gardens comprise 20 acres of breathtaking flowers, lawns, glades and shrubbery. The River Varty threads slowly through the garden, forming the foundation of the exquisite scenery: elegant suspension bridges, delicate cascades and over 5000 different species of plants from all over the world

Not just for the history buffs, this imposing gaol has been on its present site since 1702. Until 1924, thousands of prisoners of all ages have passed through its doors. The dark recesses of humanity still seem to linger the corridors and cells, and spooky night tours are available upon request. A graphic exhibition portrays the life during the gaol’s turbulent history, including the 1798 rebellion, the potato famine, life in the gaol during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and transportation to the penal colonies of Australia. A perfect outing for a rainy day, visitors can relive the hardship of enforced labour in the gaol’s yard area and the insufferable loneliness of the claustrophobic cells.

For those rainy days, why not head out to the Bridgewater Centre in Arklow for a movie, shopping and lunch? This contemporary shopping centre offers top names in fashion and a number of eatery options all under one roof. The nine-screen multiplex shows all the latest blockbuster movies. Parking is available and Arklow Town is just a short walk away over the bridge

Ballinastoe is located in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. The trails offer spectacular views over the Irish Sea and Lough Tay (aka the Guinness Lake).  The trail network is a looped route that starts and finishes at the same point with signs posted. Bike rental available.

The Wicklow Gap is a 26km section from Hollywood to Laragh, and is both an important regional route and popular tourist route as it travels through some spectacular scenery.

The Sally Gap crosses with the Wicklow Mountains from east to west. It is known for its spectacular views and breathtaking panoramas over the valley, mountains and lakes region.