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• Natural Site

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• Natural Monument

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• Landscape

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\\nWhy should Wicklow Mountains National Park be nominated as one of the world’s 7 natural wonders?\\n\\nHere are some of the reasons why the WNMP should be on your list of nominees.\\n

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• The Wicklow Mountains were formed following the collision of the North America and European Plates over 420 million years ago. They form part of the largest mass of granite in northern Europe.

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• The park covers an area of 170 square kilometers and recevies over 1 million visitors per year. This is a significant number for a small island.

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• The park has 100 recorded species of bird. 8 of these are classified as rare, endagered or internationally important.

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• 8 of the 9 species of bat native to Ireland are found in the park.

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• 11 species of mammal classified as internationally important live in the park.

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• 8 plant species classified as rare or vulnerable grow in the park.

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• The majority of the park is designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

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• Ireland is home to 8% of the world’s bogland and WMNP is home to the Liffey Head Bog – a site of international importance.

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\\nHow to nominate\\n\\nYou can make 7 different nominations by visiting the nomination page at\\n\\nhttp://www.natural7wonders.com/index.php?id=637\\n\\nSimply enter\\n\\nWicklow Mountains National Park as the name of your nomination.\\n\\nSelect Nature Conservancy Park as the category of nomination.\\n\\nSelect Ireland as the country\\n\\nYou will also need to fill in your email address and what country you are from.\\n\\nOnce all the details are filled in (including any additional nominations you make) just click on submit and you are done.\\n\\nOnce you have nominated, please leave a comment on this page to say you nominated and where you are from (if you wish).\\n\\nIf you have a website and would like to spread the word about nominations you can use the graphic above, or the small one below, and link back to this page.\\n\\n

You should find this image useful in getting a better idea of the geography of Glendalough. If you need a larger version of the image please contact me and I will send it to you.

If you are looking for more information on getting to Glendalough via public transport, you will find more information right here

Glendalough is a sacred place of healing and peace. If you are looking to experience the presence of God in the beauty and tranquility of the valley, a stay in the Hermitage may be what you are looking for.

There are 5 Cillins (Hermitages) available on a self catering basis (1 double and 4 single).

Simple warm and comfortable accommodation units where you can experience solitude and quiet.

Inside a hermitage you will find :

A spacious Bed/Living Room, Kitchenette and Bathroom. Open fire with turf supplied. Central heating is also provided. Towels and Bed Linen are provided. Laundry facilities are available for longer stay retreatants. A small mini market, restaurants and coffee shops are all within 5 minutes walk.

It is recommend that retreatants bring clothing suitable for all aspects of Irish weather e.g. warm clothes, rain wear etc.

The single hermitage costs €45 per night off season and €50 in high season. The twin hermitage costs €70 per night low season and €75 per night in high season.

Contact details

Fr Kevin Doran P.P.
Glendalough 2000
St. Kevin’s Parish
Glendalough
Co. Wicklow

Tel : +353 (404) 45777 or +353 (404) 45140

Website : http://www.hermitage.dublindiocese.ie/home.html 

Email : Use the form below for further enquiries

The hostel is all self catering. Single rooms have a washbasin, and there are 4 showers and 3 toilets on the ground floor, and 1 shower and 2 toilets on the second floor.

Continental breakfasts and packed lunches can be organised and must be requested in advance. There are 17 single rooms and 2 twin rooms. Price is €22 per person.

As this is a group hostel, only bookings for groups of 10 OR MORE are accepted. No individual bookings are taken.

Contact details:

Cedar Lodge
Avondale House & Forest Park
Rathdrum
Co. Wicklow
Tel : (01) 8304555 . International dial : +353–1–8304555

Email using the form below:

Derrybawn House is located just outside the village of Laragh, a short distance from Glendalough. It is a country home built in 1780 in the style of an Italian Villa and is set in its own 96 acres of woodland.

Derrybawn House casters for unique private stays, exclusive wedding groups, sporting getaways, art exhibitions, conferences and executive meetings.

It sleeps 13 people at maximum. This single occupance hotel offers you the opportunity to rent a Country House for yourself and choose between self catering or have everything arranged for you.

Location :

Laragh, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

Telephone :

+353–404–45073

Rates :

Apply directly via the website

Website :

http://www.derrybawnhouse.com

Email Derrybawn House directly using the form below:

Tudor Lodge is a custom built Bed and Breakfast, situated in Glendalough in the heart of the Wicklow National Park. Adjacent to the Avonmore River and ‘Wicklow Way’ and 1km from the many attractions of the old monastic City of St Kevin.

The spacious surroundings of Tudor Lodge, are reminiscent of a rustic country cottage. With their bright whitewashed walls and wooden ceiling beams, the Lodge is both inviting and serene.

Tudor Lodge’s rooms are all ensuite with a double and single bed in each. Large windows provide for a spectacular view of the Wicklow Valley.

Rates

Winter: Per Night

Double 80 euro

Triple 110 euro

Single 50 euro

Summer: Per Night

Double 90 euro

Triple 120 euro

Single 60 euro

Location

300 meters from Laragh Village on the Rathdrum road on the Left.

Your Hosts : Jane & Chris

Contact Details

Tudor Lodge
Laragh
Glendalough
Co Wicklow
Ireland
Ph: 00353 (0)404 45554 Fax: 00353 (0)404 45554
www.tudorlodgeireland.com

Email Tudor Lodge directly using the form below:

“The idea was to make a quick tour of Dublin and some of the surrounding area. Upon arriving on Saturday morning, we quickly found what Dublin has to offer - pubs, pubs, the occasional Irishman, and more pubs. We stayed near Temple Bar, Dublin’s notorious bar district chock full of tourists, stag parties, crowds, and street vendors. We spent the day touring Dublin, including a trip to Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Although Dublin seemed wonderful, we were left wanting more.

Enter Sunday, we took a day tour through Wicklow County, the Wicklow mountains, and Glendalough. The Irish mountains, countryside, and rural hospitality was everything I dreamt it would be. The beauty of the landscape lived up to the hype, and proved greener than anywhere I’d ever seen before. The lakes, mountains, rural roads, streams, and tiny towns were amazing. It was good to get out of over-crowded Dublin for a day of fresh air. Rural Ireland seemed the type of place you live for a long time.”

Brian – Visited in May 2007

“After a long day’s journey, we arrived in Dublin and drove down to Glendalough . . . and what a sight greeted us! It was surrounded by so much natural beauty…. After exploring the monastery thoroughly, we hiked up the mountain overlooking Glendalough…. When we finally made it to the top of the mountain (barely breathing!), the view was sooooo worth it!”

The above are just some extracts from a Photoblog of a trip to Glendalough by Emily McCall. You really should visit Emily’s site to see the wonderful photographs she took. What a lovely record of a day to remember.

Emily - Visited in September 2007

“We drove through Dublin, which was horrible, I hate European traffic and drivers, to get south to a beautiful place called Glendalough (Glen-Del-Lock). It is famous for being truly Irish. Its the greenest, cleanest, most pristine place I’ve ever been. There is an ancient monastic village there with a round tall tower that is in most Irish post-cards… you can see a picture of it above. Glendalough also has two lakes that are simply gorgeous. It is everything you’d think of being Ireland. “

Trent - Visited in October 2007 .

“While on a business trip to Dublin, a friend took me to Glendalough which turned out to be not just beautiful but one of the most peaceful places I have ever visited. “

Sheila - Visited in July 2007

“I’m not sure exactly how long the hike up took, but beautifulness everywhere… Wandering off the stone-paved trail, we went out toward the edge of one of those glorious hills. Just enjoyed the place. All that God has done in that corner of the world. No time. No noise. Except the occasional tourist children trailing behind their group. Good time.”

Krista - Visited in October 2007

The education centre of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, hold a series of special FREE events through the summer and into autumn. The events are led by experts in the respective fields of history, nature and conservation themes.

Places are limited on some of the events and booking is advised. For those events where you need to book, a date is given indicating when the booking opens.

Bookings must be made to the Information Office of Wicklow Mountains National Park on +353–404–45425 or the Education Centre on +353–404–45656

The information below is extracted from http://www.wicklownationalpark.ie

MAY

DAWN CHORUS DAY

Sunday 20th May (in conjunction with Birdwatch Ireland) - 20th May is Dawn Chorus Day, and all over Ireland people will be getting up incredibly early to join a guided walk to listen to and learn the birds’ songs. The National Park is delighted to once again welcome the staff of Birdwatch Ireland to host this walk. There is no limit to the number of participants – all are welcome. There is an optional Birdsong Workshop in the Education Centre after the walk. Suitable for all ages. Booking is not required. Meeting at 5am at the Upper Lake car park in Glendalough.

WOODLAND WALK

Sunday 27th May - Explore the oak woods of Glendalough with a National Park Guide looking at the plants and animals there and the history of the woods. This walk is limited to 30 places. Participants should wear suitable footwear for venturing off track. Not suitable for young children. Booking essential. Meeting at 11am at the National Park Information Office by the Upper Lake in Glendalough.

JUNE/JULY/AUGUST

WILDFLOWER WALK

Sunday 24th June - Learn to identify our native wildflowers and discover a little about their ecology, folklore & history. Not suitable for children. Booking is essential. Bookings taken from Saturday 9th June.

BAT WALKS

9.30 pm Thursday 14th June

9.15 pm Thursday 12th July

8.30pm Thursday 16th August

See, hear and learn about bats on our ever-popular bat walks. Bring a torch and insect repellent. No booking required; all are welcome

(See also our list of summer lectures, also on Thursday nights.)

BUG WALKS

Sunday 17th June (bookings from Sat 2nd June)

Sunday 22nd July (bookings from Sat 7th July)

Sunday 12th August (bookings from Sat 28th July)

Take a safari through the amazing world of bugs. Bring a jar (with a lid!) to help examine the mini-beasts. Much loved by children and adults alike.

Family friendly, although not suitable for buggies.

BOG WALK

Explore one of Ireland’s most important habitats - the ever-declining bog. See insect-eating plants and explore the life of a bog pool. This walk will be off-track and wet underfoot, so all participants must be suitably equipped with boots & raingear. Bookings taken from Sat 30th June.

FAMILY TREE WALK

Learn how to identify trees and participate in some fun tree activities. Participants should wear suitable footwear for venturing off-track. For families, but not suitable for buggies. Bookings taken from Sat 11th August.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

TREE I.D. WALK

Sunday 9th September - Learn to identify trees and discover their history, folklore, ecology and uses. Participants should wear suitable footwear for venturing off-track. Not suitable for children. Bookings taken from Sat 25th August.

DEER WATCH

Sunday 7th October

Sunday 14th October

Sunday 21st October

In October the deer are mating, and are full of activity as stags fight for hinds. National Park guides will be in place with telescopes on the hill from 10.30am to 5pm, to discuss the deer and their ecology. Locations will be announced nearer the time, and will involve a hike in so bots and raingear are recommended. Suitable for all ages, no booking required.

CONSERVATION HIKE

Sunday 11th November - A hike of 2-4 hours on a way-marked hill route in Glendalough. A National Park guide will discuss conservation issues that face the Park. This walk is limited to 15 places, and all must be equipped for hiking in bad weather (walking boots and rain gear). Not suitable for children. Bookings taken from Sat 27th October.

SUMMER LECTURE SERIES

8pm Thursday evenings at the Education Centre, Upper Lake, Glendalough

Thursday 14th June - The Daubenton’s Bat Survey - Tina Aughney, Bat Conservation Ireland. Followed by Bat Walk

Thursday 21st June - A Midsummer Celebration with Don Conroy and Chris Wilson - A lighthearted foray through Ireland’s wildlife, with on-the-spot cartoons and banter guaranteed to amuse all ages.

Thursday 28th June - Beautiful Bogs; Their Wildlife and Conservation - Dr Catherine O’Connell, Irish Peatland Conservation Council

Thursay 5th July - The Old Farm Houses of County Wicklow - Chris Corlett, Archaelogist, OPW National Monuments Section

Thurdsay 12th July - Mountain Rescue in Wicklow - Ann Fitzpatrick, Team Leader, Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team

Thursday 19th July - The Irish Hare Survey - Neil Reid, Suvey Co-ordinator

Thursday 26th July - Mediaeval Pilgrimage in the Wicklow Mountains; Recent Discoveries on St. Kevin’s Road - Dr. Aidan O’Sullivan, UCD School of Archaeology

Thursday 2nd August - Iceland - From Blue Whales to Geysirs - Faith Wilson, Ecologist

Thursday 9th August - The Solar System, The Sun, and the Cassini Mission to Saturn - Deirdre Kelleghan, President of Irish Astronomical Society. * Sungazing with special sunscope before lecture, weather permitting .

Thursday 16th August - Bats For All The Family - National Park Education Staff. Followed by Family Bat Walk

Average annual temperature is 9 degrees celsius. The warmest months are June, July and August. 2006 was especially warm in Ireland during the summer months, with temperatures in some areas breaking 30 degrees. This is the exception rather than the rule and the normal temperature range is between 18 and 22 degrees. Depending on what part of the world you come from, you might consider this to be pleasantly warm, or a little on the cool side still!

During the winter months (Dec, Jan, Feb), the average temperature is around 6 degrees. January and February are typically the coldest months with early mornings seeing sub zero temperatures.

As Glendalough is situated in the Wicklow Mountains, some of the access roads into the valley can be hazardous during the winter months, especially the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap. The best advice is to consult the AA Roadwatch website for any alerts and you might also like to contact the Wicklow Mountains National Park Headquarters on +353-404-45800. They are open from Monday to Friday 9 to 5 and the Duty Ranger can be contacted on +353-87-9803899 from Monday to Sunday 9 to 5. Email wmnp@environ.ie

Accuweather also have a page dedicated to the Wicklow Mountains which you can view here

Rain is a feature of the weather in Ireland so no matter what time of year you are coming here at, you should pack some sort of rainproof clothing!

The Wicklow Weather website shows live weather for Ashford, Co. Wicklow which will give you an indicator of weather conditions in this part of County Wicklow right now.

For national weather forecasts click here