![]() ![]() A map available at the ticket desk outlines various walking trails to follow. It's easy to fill a day wandering around the formal gardens, with their terraces, towers and sculptures. The handsome fountain was modeled on a fountain in Rome’s Piazza Barberini. Dominated by the grand Palladian mansion of Powerscourt House, the landscaped gardens are among the finest in the country, with gorgeous views across an ornamental lake to the conical peak of Sugar Loaf Mountain. The epitome of 18th-century aristocratic elegance, Powerscourt Estate was laid out in the 1730s by Richard Cassels, the greatest Irish architect of the Georgian era. The lush grounds of Powerscourt House are a calm escape from Dublin's bustle © alredosaz / Shutterstock Powerscourt Estate, for a taste of how Ireland's other half lived If you don't have your own vehicle, you can visit as part of an organized coach trip such as the Wild Wicklow Tour or with Dublin Sightseeing Tours (combined with a trip to Powerscourt), or take St Kevin’s Bus which departs twice daily from central Dublin. How to get to Glendalough: Glendalough is about 1 hour and 10 minutes southwest of Dublin city center by car. Look out for St Kevin’s Bed, a shallow cave where the saint is said to have lived. Highlights include the Upper Lake, where you can explore another cluster of ancient stones. ![]() Nine walking trails snake around this atmospheric complex, ranging from 1km (0.6 miles) to 11km (7km) – leaflets on these and other local trails that are good for birdwatching are available to download, or you can buy them on site. The impressive remains include a towering 10th-century round tower, the 12th-century Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul and several smaller churches, plus an atmospheric graveyard. Two lovely lakes set in a glacier-carved glen provide the backdrop for one of Ireland’s most impressive monastic settlements.Įstablished by St Kevin in the late fifth century, this early Christian complex flourished in medieval times to become one of the largest monastic sites in Ireland. Travel time: 1 hour and 10 minutes by carĪlthough it’s only 25km (15.5 miles) from south Dublin's county border, the scenic valley of Glendalough feels like another world, tucked into the craggy valleys of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, the jewel of County Wicklow. Glendalough is one of Ireland's most stunning glacial valleys © Anna Gorin / Getty Images Glendalough, for sacred history and heavenly scenery ![]()
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