We recently partnered with the Dublin Gazette to promote the Wicklow Passport. The plan was to design a 3-day itinerary around Wicklow, and invite someone to go around, record their experience and share that experience. The Wicklow Passport works really well with children and teenagers, and we were keen to test how the Wicklow Passport would perform with parents and grandparents. We then invited Therese and her mom Ann to take on the Wicklow Passport for three day and explore the wonders of County Wicklow while collecting as many stamps as possible.
This was their itinerary:
Day 1: South East Wicklow
Start from the Arklow Bay Hotel where they collected their Wicklow Passport and their first stamp Arklow as well as coffee and scones. Then on to Mickey Finn’s Pub for a quick stop to get the Redcross/Brittas Bay stamp. At Rathdrum, they stopped at Avondale – Beyond The Trees to climb the tower and visit the newly re-opened house. They enjoyed lunch in Ashford, then on to Wicklow Town to visit Wicklow’s Historic Gaol.
Day 2: North Wicklow and Wicklow Mountains
On their way to Greystones, they stopped at Nicky’s Village Market to get their Fruit & Veg and collect the Newcastle/Kilcoole stamp. In Greystones they had a walk on the beach and coffee and pastries at Rise at the Cove. Quick stop at Killruderry to get the Bray Stamp, then on to Powerscourt for a tour of the Gardens and collect the Enniskerry stamp. They drove over the Wicklow Mountains along the Military Road to Lynham’s of Laragh where they stopped to collect the Glendalough Stamp. They finished the day driving to the Glenview Hotel for afternoon tea, including a quick stop in Roundwood at the Green Room Flowers Market to collect the stamp. At the Glenview Hotel, they collected the Delgany/Kilmacanogue stamp.
Day 3: West & South Wicklow:
The day started at Russborough House in West Wicklow where they got an extensive tour of the house, and the Blessington Stamp. The Hollywood Café provided lunch and the stamp. Along the N81, they stopped at the Castleruddery Stone Circle in Donard and got the stamp at the nearby Glen Shop. A visit to the Baltinglass Abbey is a must and get the stamp at Veronica’s. They pushed the drive down to Rathgall Ringfort for a quick visit, then on to the Olde Shillelagh Stick Makers to learn about the making of the ancient stick. We included two extra stops on their way back first at Tinahely Farm Shop to get the Tinahely stamp and at Byrne’s to get the Aughrim Stamp. The day ended at the Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge to collect the Avoca stamp and have dinner!
“It has been an amazing three days” says Therese. “The Wicklow Passport has give Mom and I a fantastic opportunity to have a fantastic time together!” Therese Mom Ann added: “We discovered so many amazing places around Wicklow, and we met fantastic people along the way. We are already planning for our next adventure. The fun and memories will stay with me forever!”
Read the full Article on the Dublin Gazette at: https://dublingazette.com
