Restaurants & Pubs in Wicklow

Ashford House,  Ashford, Co. Wicklow.
Tel: +353 (0)404 40481
E-mail: info@ashfordhouse.ie
Web: www.ashfordhouse.ie

This landmark Restaurant and Pub is situated in an idyllic location. The Oriental Restaurant produces authentic Cantonese, Thai, Szechwan and Beijing style cuisine.

Barracuda Steak & Seafood Restaurant,  Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Tel: +353 (0)1 2765686 / Fax: +353 (0)1 2042870
Email: info@barracuda.ie / Web: www.barracuda.ie

Steak and Seafood Restaurant with a selection of dishes at mid range prices, fantastic facilities witha cafe bar downstairs and a spacious restaurant upstairs with views right across the bay to Howth.

We also have a terrace upstairs and a large outdoor area on the ground floor which is great for accommodating smokers. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and open for brunch Saturday and Sunday.

Although many people come to shop for the colorful Avoca woollens, they wind up staying for lunch or a snack. Food is fresh and healthy, using many local ingredients for homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, quiches, and casseroles. Farmhouse cheeses and multi-grain breads are also featured. The food is so delicious that customers keep asking for the recipes — and two Avoca Café cookbooks have been the result. Open daily.

The Chester Beatty Inn, Ashford, Co Wicklow
Tel: 0404 40206    Email: hotelchesterbeatty@eircom.net.

Charming Country Inn, award winning restaurant, with lounge and traditional irish bar with open log fires.

The Coach House, Roundwood, Co.Wicklow.
Tel: +353 (0)1 2818157
E-mail: info@thecoachhouse.ie    Web: www.thecoachhouse.ie

The Coach House at Roundwood, Co. Wicklow is one of the finest and highest Pub / Restaurants in the Garden County. This award winning Irish Pub is close to Glendalough, Laragh, Enniskerry, Bray, Wicklow Town, and the breathtaking scenery of Brittas Bay beach, Sally Gap and The Wicklow Gap.  We are also in very close proximity to Avoca (Home of the TV series, Ballykissangel) and Kilcoole (Home of the TV series Glenroe). The beautiful gardens of Powerscourt House, Mount Usher and Avondale House are all within short driving distance. Hill walking in the Wicklow Way, Fishing, Cycling and Golfing are all available nearby.   Food is served from 9am - 9pm seven days a week and a wide and varied choice is available at reasonable prices. Music is available at weekends, and you can relax and soak up the wonderful atmosphere of this ancient, friendly establishment.

Well established in the seaside town of Greystones since1988, this upstairs restaurant specializes in the freshest of local seafood, prepared and presented in creative ways, as well as favorite meat dishes (rack of lamb, crispy duck, beef bourguignon). The restaurant takes its names from a monk-themed décor and menu art. A bistro/wine bar also operates on the ground floor with more limited choices but equally good food. Open for dinner Tuesday – Sunday and Sunday lunch. 

Wed-Sat from 19:30, Lunch from 13:00 Reservation Essential.  Pub food available all day every day 

Frommer's Review:  Dating from 1750, this old coaching inn is the one of the best reasons to head to Roundwood, a place of unspoiled mountain beauty. It has an old-world atmosphere, with open log fireplaces and antique furnishings. Nearly everything is home baked or locally grown or raised -- from steaks and sandwiches to traditional Irish stew, fresh lobster and salmon from Greystones, and seafood pancakes. In good weather, there's a lovely, secluded garden to sit in, and in the bar between meal times, there's outstanding pub grub.  NB Bortsch & Goulash are normally excellent - the owner's ethnic speciality.

Sport

Things to do and see

http://www.wicklow.ie/tourism/events/gardens_festival/index.html

Laid out along the banks of the River Vartry, Mount Usher has been designed in the Robinsonian* style. Trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants have been introduced from all parts of the globe and are planted in harmony with woodland and shade loving plants

Killruddery House & Gardens, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Tel/Fax: +353 (0)1 2863405/ 0404 46024
Email: info@killruddery.com    Web: www.killruddery.com

Killruddery House has been the home to the Brabazon family (the Earls of Meath) since 1618. The House itself dates from the 1600s but was completely remodelled in 1820. The Drawing Room and Dining Room have very impressive ceilings. A wonderful Orangery was added in 1852 and contains a collection of statuary mainly from Italy.

Powerscourt House & Gardens, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.
Tel: +353 (0)1 204 6000
Fax: +353 (0)1 204 6900
E-mail: info@powerscourt.ie
Web: www.powerscourt.ie

One of the World's Great Gardens. Powerscourt is situated 19km (12 miles) south of Dublin in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. It is a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs.  The 18th Century Palladian House now incorporates an innovative shopping experience, terrace cafe and house exhibition. Facilities include speciality shops, interiors gallery, garden pavilion and 18-hole golf course.  

Opening Times   House and Gardens, daily, 9.30am-5.30pm in summer.

Avondale House & Forest Park, Rathdrum, County Wicklow. Tel: 0404-46111. E-mail:costello.i@coillte.ie Web: www.@coillte.ie Situated 1.6km (1 mile) south of Rathdrum.  Avondale House built in 1777 is a Georgian House set in an estate of 500 acres of glorious forest parkland along the Banks of the Avonmore River. In 1846 Charles Stewart Parnell one of the greatest political leaders of modern Irish History was born at Avondale. The house is now a museum to his memory and visitors are introduced to Avondale by way of an audio-visual presentation Visit the house or stroll through Ireland's premier Forest Arboretum with its breathtaking views, miles of forest trails offer endless variety to the walker including the new "Sli na Slainte Irish Heat Foundation" walking route. Other facilities include Restaurant designated picnic areas; children's play area and car/coach park. Open daily 17th March - 31st October from 11 am to 6.00pm. Last admission one hour before closing. Admission is charged. Kllmacurragh, 9.7km (6 miles) from Rathdrum, County Wicklow. Tel: 01-8377596 Fax: 01 8374388.

Russborough, Blessington, Co. Wicklow
Tel: +353 (0)45 865239
Fax: +353 (0)45 865054
Email: russborough@eircom.net

Near Blessington Lake in West Wicklow, one of the finest 18th century houses in Ireland open to the public. It is home to splendid period furniture and furnishings. Due to a major ongoing works programme, including conservation of the building, the collection of paintings normally displayed will not be on view this season. Russborough is situated on the N81, 3 Km South of Blessington.  Opening times and dates: April from 10am - 5pm Sundays and Bank Holiday, May to September from 10am - 5pm Every Day and October from 10am - 5pm Sundays and Bank Holiday. 

Kilmacurragh, Rathdrum This is an arboretum particularly famous for its conifers and califuges, planted during the 19th century by Thomas Acton in conjunction with David Moore and his son, Sir Frederick Moore, curators of the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin. It contains a magnificent collection of exotic trees and shrubs including a collection of rhododendrons. Open all year and admission is free. Tel 01 8377896. 9 Km from Rathdrum Village

Altidore Castle,  Kilpeddar, Co. Wicklow  Tel: +353 (0)1 281 9186

A Georgian castle house owned by the Emmet family decended from the United Irishman, Thomas Addis Emmet. On view are historic Emmet papers, portraits and possessions including those of The Patriot Robert Emmet.  Opening Times  March 1st-20th and May 1st-June 10th, 10am-2pm. Prior notice appreciated.
Groups throughout year by appointment.

Castle Howard  Avoca, Co Wicklow    Jenny Jackson   Tel: 087-2949505

Open: Feb 9-13, 16-20, April 19-23, May 10-15, 17-22, 24-29, June 14-19, 21-26,July 17 & 24, Sept 11, 18, 20-25 & Oct 4-8, 11-15, 9am-1pm

Charleville House  Enniskerry, Co Wicklow   Monica Daly   Tel: 01-6624455

Open: Feb 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, May 1-2, 4-31 & June 1-4, 8-11, 14-15, Mon-Fri,1pm-5pm, Sat & Sun, 9am-1pm

Kiltimon House   Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow   Michelle O’Connor   Tel: 01-2811081

Open: April 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, May 3, 6-8, 10, 13-15, 17, 20-21,24, 27-29, 31, June 3-4, 7, 10-11, 14, 17-18, 21, 24-25, 28, Sept 2-3, 6-7, 9-10, 13-14,16-18, 20-21, 23-28, 30, Mon-Fri, 10am-12noon & 1pm-3pm, Sat & Sun, 9am-1pm

Woodbrook House   Dublin Road, Bray, Co Wicklow   Deirdre Lynch   Tel: 01-2821421

Open: April 5, 7, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28,30, May 5, 7-8, 10, 12, 14-15, 17, 19, 21, June 2, 4-5, 7, 9, 11-12, 14, 16, 18-19, 21,23, 25-26, 28, 30, July 2-3, 5, 7, 9-10, 12, 14, 16-17, 19, 21, 24, Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat,9am-1pm

Glendalough, Co. Wicklow.
Tel: +353 (0)404 45325/45352  Fax: +353 (0)404 45626

Glendalough "the glen of the two lakes", is a truly spellbinding place - an ancient monastic settlement and two clear water lakes beneath the sheer cliffs of a deep valley which was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age. The monastic settlement has been a centre for pilgrims and visitors since its foundation by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Kevin is thought to have come from the more fertile lands of County Kildare and like many other men of sanctity in early times, desired solitude for his life of prayer and contemplation. Thus he withdrew into the thinly peopled mountains and set up his hermitage at Glendalough.

The settlement expanded and flourished for many years before being finally destroyed in the 16th century. The present remains, some of the most important of their kind in Ireland, tell only a small part of the monastic story. The buildings which survive - round tower, cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses - probably date from between the 8th and 12th centuries. The famous Round Tower, about 34m high and 16m in circumference at the base, is still in near perfect condition even though it is almost 1,000 years old.  The excellent Glendalough Visitor Centre provides regular exhibitions, informative guided tours of the monastic site as well as an audio-visual show about the rich heritage of the area.

Elsewhere around the upper and lower lakes there are a number of well-known walking routes, which allow visitors to take in as much or as little of the surrounding scenery as they wish.

Once the monastic capital of Europe, Glendalough attracts up to 500,000 visitors annually. The ruins of the seven churches and the 6th century round tower owe their origins to St. Kevin, the hermit who founded the monastic city and who lived in a cave - St. Kevin's Bed - overlooking the Upper Lake.  Opening Times  Daily from 9.30am-6pm (summer) or 9.30am-5pm (winter)

Wicklow's Historic Gaol Wicklow Town
Tel: +353 (0)404 61599   Web: www.wicklowshistoricgaol.com

A £2 million restoration and interpretive plan has been carried out by Wicklow County Council to develop the old county Gaol which is situated at the southern end of Wicklow Town, beside the Courthouse (where many of the inmates were tried and sentenced), and adjacent to Market Square.

There has been a gaol on this site since 1702 and it remained active until 1924. During this time thousands of prisoners, young and old, men, women and children, guilty and innocent passed through its doors. The story of Wicklow's Historic Gaol is their story.  The interpretative design related to the history of the Gaol through the eyes of its inmates. Key periods covered are the 1798 Rebellion, the Famine, Life in Gaol during the 18th and 19th Centuries and Transportation to the Penal Colonies of Australia.

The exhibition uses a unique combination of audio visual material, interactive displays, reconstruction and actors to bring history to life and to involve the visitor in the amazing stories that surround historical events.

Actors portray the characters of The Gaoler, Billy Byrne - A Rebel of 1798 and Luckyn Betts, The Ship's Captain. Visitors can experience first hand from these characters what life was like during this period. The highpoint of the visit is the reconstruction of the prison ship - Hercules - which visitors can climb aboard and learn about life above and below deck in the company of the Ship's Captain.  Opening Times:  Daily March-October, 10am-6pm (last admissions 5pm)

Glenroe Open Farm  Ballygownan, Kilcoole.   Tel: +353 (0)1 2872288
E-mail: mail@glenroefarm.com   Web: www.glenroefarm.com

As both a real and fictional rural community, Glenroe Open Farm appeals to young and old alike. The Farm - one of the principal filming locations of the television series "Glenroe" for 18 years, offers close and easy access to a terrific selection of farm animals and pets. Facilities include Coffee Shop, Gift Shop and indoor/outdoor picnic areas.  Opening Times  Daily from April to August.

Greenan Farm Museum and Maze  Tel: +353 (0)404 46000
Fax: +353 (0)402 36308
E-mail: fun@greenanmaze.com
Web: www.greenanmaze.com

Greenan Farm Museums & Maze is situated in Greenan only four miles from Rathdrum, at the foot of the Glenmalure valley.

The Celtic hedge maze is an exciting adventure for all ages. It stands on half an acre and has a viewing platform.

A two storey barn houses the Farm Museum, displaying a large collection of horse-drawn machinery and hand tools used on hill farms in the old days. The Farmhouse Museum is a 16th century country house restored to the period. It was a safe-house in the 1798 uprising for rebels Michael Dwyer and Andrew Bourke. There is also an extensive antique Irish bottle Museum upstairs.

Other attractions include a nature trail with ponds, a working farm with animals, and a craft shop with local produce. Our traditional Tea-Room serves light lunches and home-baked goodies.  Opening times:Bank holiday Mondays.May & June: Tues.-Sat. July & August: 7 days.

Legend has it that St Kevin of Glendalough was amongst the earliest users of a Bodhran, (pronounced bow-rawn), the ancient Irish drum. Apart from its use as a musical instrument, he may have also used it as a means to warn his fellow monks and followers of the arrival of plunderers into the Valley, enabling them to reach the safety of the round tower with their valuables.  Under cover of darkness, St Kevin and others could lower themselves from the tower and go further up the valley, as they made their way back down the valley, they beat the drums with all their might. The echo in the valley gave the impression of the arrival of a huge army and the enemy would always take flight in fear.

Even today, the sound of the bodhran can still be heard in this beautiful valley, but now it is more likely to come from The Irish Music Visitor Centre, where- on most days - we will give you a talk on the craft of Bodhran making or demonstration of some of the skills involved. We also stock a range of other Irish Musical Instruments as well as a comprehensive range of Irish Music books and CD's. A selection of top quality crafts and gifts are also available under the same roof.  There is no admission charge and you can come and visit us, watch us make the Bodhrans and watch our demonstrations on how to play this wonderful instrument.

Olde Shillelagh Stick Makers, Shillelagh, Co Wicklow
Tel: +353 (0)55 29113 / +353 (0)86 2722913
Email: 2oldeshillelagh@eircom.net / Web: http://misticshillelagh.tripod.com

Locally sourced blackthorn is made into high quality range of authentic Shillelaghs, including the original fighting sticks. Exclusive range of associated gift products also in stock. Open Mon- Sat 10.30am - 5pm. Advance booking recommended for tours, talks etc.

Distance: 18km    Time to Allow: 6 hours

The Wicklow Way skirts round to the west of Knockree Hill, descends to cross the Glencree River valley and reaches Crone Wood car park at 22km. From here a steady up hill walk brings the trail via a spectacular viewing point over Powerscourt Waterfall and Deer Park (the imported Japanese Sika deer have long since escaped and inter-bred with the native red deer population of the surrounding uplands).

Soon, trekking into open country, the Dargle is the next river to be crossed, followed by a climb to 650m around the east shoulder of Djouce (pronounced jowsse) (775m) and on to White Hill. At around 31km a raised walkway (installed to protect the fragile surrounding blanket bog from further serious erosion) marks the start of a long descent through Ballinastoe Woods (at a break in the boardwalk watch for a left turning for Ballinastoe Beg), opening to reveal the wonderful vista of Lough Tay and the Luggala (pronounced lug- a-law) valley, to reach the Roundwood to Sally Gap road .

OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN COUNTY WICKLOW