Heritage, Music and Irish Dancing in County Wicklow
– “one of Europe’s most beautiful locations”
Immerse yourself in Irish history and heritage with a stay in Ireland’s oldest hotel, the Woodenbridge Hotel. Spend an evening in Mickey Finn’s Pub for a traditional meal, some private Irish Dancing lessons and traditional music. Enjoy the heritage in Wicklow’s Historic Gaol. A guided walking tour of the Avoca Mines and Mottee Stone with a picnic lunch.
3 Nights B&B and One Evening Meal in the 3* Woodenbridge Hotel
Irish Dancing Experience including traditional meal and music in Mickey Finns Pub
Visitor’s Pass for Wicklow’s Historic Gaol
Walking Tour of the Avoca Mines and Mottee Stone with picnic lunch
Price: €175 per person sharing
Offer available Tues-Thurs 7/6/11 to 27/09/11
To Book Just Call Karen in The Woodenbridge Hotel,
Tel: +353 (0)402 35146
Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday
3pm - Arrival and Check in
Arrive at the Woodenbridge Hotel and settle into your surroundings. Visit the nearby town of Arklow with its rich maritime history. You might want to visit the Arklow Maritime Museum situated at the Bridgewater Shopping Centre or maybe simply do a bit of shopping!
Return to the comfort of your hotel and enjoy a 4 course meal in the restaurant.
Day 2 - Wednesday
After a hearty Irish breakfast, you will visit Wicklow town (or Cill Mhantáin, in Irish meaning "Church of the Toothless One") is the County Seat of County Wicklow in Ireland. Your destination is the historic Wicklow Gaol, built in 1702 the Gaol was a place of execution up to the end of the 19th century and it was here that Billy Byrne, a leader of the 1798 rebellion, met his end. You will be guided by a gaoler dressed in the period of the 1700s as you go.
Take the opportunity now to walk through this historic Viking Town which was founded around 795AD. The name 'Wicklow' comes from Vikinglow, meaning Meadow of the Vikings, or Wykynlo, meaning Viking Loch. Hear how Ireland’s national saint, Saint Patrick is said to have attempted to land on Travailahawk beach, to the south of the harbour. Whilst walking through this heritage town see the Franciscan Abbey, and visit the ruins of Black Castle on the cliff.
At Fitzwilliam Square, is an obelisk commemorating the career of Captain Robert Halpin born in the town at The Bridge Tavern in 1836. Halpin was the commander of the first telegraph cable ship the Great Eastern which laid the first underlying telegraph cable between Ireland and America.
After your exertions, return to the warm comfort of your hotel to prepare yourself for an Irish Dancing Experience in Mickey Finn’s Pub, Redcross.
If you require a taxi to and from the pub we would recommend Martin Lynch 086 2263699.
Pre booking of the taxi is essential.
Irish Dancing Experience
7.00pm -8.00pm
Enjoy a Traditional home-made Irish Meal in the pub.
8.00pm -9.00pm
Private Irish Dancing Lessons with a local Irish Dancing Teacher where, aided by some local dancers you will be taught some of Ireland’s most popular jugs and reels.
9.00pm -11.30pm
Retire to the Bar, where you’ll be given the opportunity to pull yourself a glass of Guinness and absorb a real Irish session with Traditional Musicians. Now if you wish you can use your newly acquired skills in Irish Dancing and join in with the Dancers on the floor.
Day 3 - Thursday
Relax and unwind after Breakfast. You will then make your way to the village of Avoca, the home of the BBC TV series ‘Ballykissangel’ starring Colin Farrell and Stephen Thompkinson.
This morning, before your walk you should visit, the birthplace of the Avoca experience, and the origin of the Avoca Handweavers. Built on the banks of the Avoca River from where it used to draw its power, you'll find a large Avoca Store and Café, and a working handweaving mill. The Mill itself dates from 1723, and is said to be the oldest extant manufacturer in Ireland and, indeed, one of the world's oldest.
Or try The Garden at Knockanree, Avoca, just beyond the handweavers on the same side of the road, which reflects its creator Harold Clarke’s idea that one should never know what to expect around the next corner. And indeed it full of surprises, from the ‘Moonstone,’ a giant orb of granite like a miniature planet fallen to earth, to a family of Indian elephants, a laburnum tunnel raining gold, to Phoebe, forever reading her marble book in the shade of a sycamore tree. It would spoil the surprises to reveal more.
Open April 1 – July 15, Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat 9.30-13.30, Price €5.
This is a garden that recalls Dean Jonathan Swift’s lines :
“A river at my garden’s end
A terrace walk and half a rood
Of land set out to plant a wood.”
Avoca Mines and Mottee Stone Walk with Picnic Lunch
1.00pm – 5.00 pm
Our guided walk starts and ends at the family owned Fitzgerald’s Pub. This historic, traditionally charming and colourful village of Avoca was often visited by Bram Stoker and playground of
Walt Disney. We continue our walk outside the village and off road to the area known as Tigroney and site of the first Christian Church in Ireland. At its highest point on the walk we arrive at the Ice Age Mottee Stone where on a clear day you can see Snowdonia in Wales. Be prepared for magnificent views of this glacial valley – The Vale of Avoca. At the point known as The White Cross, be prepared for magnificent views of this glacial valley – The Vale of Avoca - made famous by Ireland’s National Poet Thomas Moore (born 1779), now resting in Bronham, Wiltshire, England with which Avoca is twinned. After our climb, it is pleasant to walk downhill through the stunningly bleak and vast landscape of craters left as a reminder of the area’s mining heritage; past preserved mining chimney stacks and engine houses, back to the village for some well deserved refreshment in Fitzgerald’s Pub. (4 hours) 12km 330 metres of Ascent.
Easy/moderate walk.
After our climb, it is pleasant to walk downhill back to the village and a visit to Fitzgerald’s Pub for a heartwarming meal of Irish Beef Stew and a glass of Guinness maybe.
Enjoy your evening in the hotel, where you will enjoy live Irish music
from 9pm in the Four Vales Bar.
Day 4 Friday
Unwind during breakfast and gather the memories of your experiences in this beautiful location before heading home. Before going home, try visiting Glendalough, beside picturesque Laragh and one of Ireland’s most visited heritage attractions. It is just a 20 minute drive from the hotel. Glendalough is an early Christian ecclesiastical settlement in a glaciated valley with two lakes. The monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. You will have a guided tour of the visitors centre with its museum, and the monastic settlement. You will have time to walk through the wooded pathways or be meander on your way to the lakes. Experience the peace and tranquillity of Glendalough. Whether in sunshine or in showers, Glendalough offers itself up in beauty to every visitor. Sample the atmosphere, the misty mornings, the mossy bark, the rustle of autumn leaves as you walk along. Maybe take a picnic with you.
Safe journey home ...
