Drive in County Wicklow, Ireland
From Bray near Dublin see the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough
This circular drive starts at Bray and visits Powerscourt House, Russborough House, Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains National Park, Wicklow Town and the Vale of Avoca
Right on Dublin's doorstep are the gorgeous Wicklow Mountains, and the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Here there's awe-inspiring scenery at Glendalough, one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. In and around the Wicklow Mountains are impressive Irish country houses and gardens, including Powerscourt House and Gardens, Mount Usher Gardens and Russborough House. All are an easy day's drive from Dublin.
Drive in County Wicklow, Ireland: the Facts
- Beginning in Bray, south of Dublin, the drive is about 115 miles (184 kms) back to Bray, including the slight diversion to Russborough House.
- Allow a full day, if not longer.
- If time is running short, take Russborough House out of the drive which makes it more compact.
- If you only have time to see two things, then Glendalough and Powerscourt House and Gardens are undoubted highlights.
Drive in County Wicklow, Ireland: the Route
Bray is about 14 miles (22 kms) south of Dublin. Head south on the M11/N11 and take the turn for Enniskerry, following signs for Powerscourt House. Powerscourt is well signposted, and allow plenty of time for a visit and a leisurely stroll around the magnificent gardens. Nearby is the Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Ireland.
From Powerscourt continue on the road to the lovely little village of Enniskerry, from where the road is signposted as the Glencree Drive. Here the scenery changes as you head into the dramatic and sometimes bleak moors landscape beneath the Wicklow Mountains. Watch for the 4-way crossroads known as the Sally Gap.
Turn right towards Blessington, and just south of the town is Russborough House, with an important art collection. From here continue south on the N81 to Hollywood, take a left turn onto the R756 and return through the Wicklow Gap and into the Wicklow Mountains to arrive at Glendalough.
If you want to skip Russborough House, which adds 37 miles (60 kms) to the journey, cross straight over the Sally Gap crossroads instead of turning right, and this will bring you to Laragh and then Glendalough. At Glendalough the Wicklow Mountains National Park begins, and includes the ruins of the monastery at Glendalough, which sprawl along a beautiful wooded valley and lake for about 2 miles (3 kms). This atmospheric place is one of the finest early Christian sites in Ireland.
From Glendalough return to Laragh and take the R755 south through Clara Vale to Rathdrum. From here the R752 takes you through the Vale of Avoca to Woodenbridge, where you take the R747 to Arklow. If you are running out of time for more exploration, take the more direct N11 all the way back to Bray.
To continue the scenic drive, from Arklow go north on the R750 along the coast of the Irish Sea to Mizen Head, then Brittas Bay to Wicklow Head and Wicklow Town. From here the road takes you inland to Ashford, where you will find Mount Usher Gardens. From here take the R764 to Roundwood, Ireland's highest village at 780ft (238m), and onto the R755 which goes past the Great Sugar Loaf Mountain and back to Bray
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