July 2021 – By Eugene Finnegan 

On this itinerary, we’ve created a link between East and West Wicklow discovering some of hidden gems along the way.  We collected a total of five Wicklow Passport Stamps.  See itinerary map and directions here

Starting out from Bray, we made our way into the Glencree Valley which is one of so many u-shaped glacial valleys in Co Wicklow that owe their formation to the last great ice age which ended about 13,000 years ago. 

You might like to stop off in the lovely village of Enniskerry or even visit the world famous Powerscourt Gardens, but on this occasion, we headed straight up to Glencree. 

Glencree – Enniskerry

The German War Cemetery is set in the peaceful setting of a former stone quarry with the soothing sounds of a nearby stream and is overlooked by a High Celtic Cross. The cemetery was opened in 1961. It contains he bodies of 134 German sailors, airmen and civilians who lost their lives over Ireland or at sea around our coasts during both world wars and who were reinterned there from their previous resting places. 

If you are feeling energetic then take a stroll down the path over the stream, passing the grotto before making your way to the Glencree Centre for reconciliation. 

The Glencree complex was originally built as an army barracks at the end of the 18th century just after the rebellion of 1798 and when rebels were still roaming the Wicklow mountains. Napoleon was conquering Europe and the British feared he might use Ireland as a steppingstone to invade Brittan from the West, which he didn’t. 

Drop in at the Armoury Café for some refreshments and don’t forget – get the passport stamped. 

Wander upstairs to have a look at the displays that tell the story of this place from its inception as an military encampment to infamous reform school and later after WWII as the base for Operation Shamrock which was a project that helped bring 500 German orphans to live in Ireland. Today, as the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, it plays host to many groups of various political, religious and ethnic diversities in an effort to bring this people together in an environment where they could relate and possible reconcile with each other. 

Lough Bray – Sally Gap

Continuing on our way we travel the Military Road, again built by the British to assist in getting their troops quickly into the mountains in the event of any further insurrections in the early nineteenth century. The road winds its way over a peat covered landscape. Stop and gaze over Lough Bray, another formation of the last Ice age. Notice the strange cuttings and ridges in the land as we drive towards Sally’s Gap. These are what is left of the cutting of turf. People would rent a patch of land and during the summer months would cut the sods of peat which was then dried and would provide a great source of heat on the fire back home through the winter. The cutting of peat has ceased for many years now. But see how nature is taking over and gradually the scars of the turf banks will be overgrown. One of the reasons why turf harvesting is now banned in some areas is that this otherwise toxic landscape absorbs carbon dioxide and in so doing helps reduce greenhouse gasses and our carbon footprint, and that can’t be bad. As we reach the top of this climb, maybe stop and admire the colours of the valley below, forty shades of green? no there is much more than that. 

At Sally’s Gap we turn right and head westward towards Blessington.  

June Garden – Blessington

Our next stop is at the lovely Garden run by June Blake near Blessington. Again, get a stamp on your Wicklow Passport. The garden is fascinating in its display of so many varied plants from various parts of the world all laid out in a kind of wild and natural way. You might even buy some to enhance your own garden.  

Hollywood

Lunchtime stop at the village of Hollywood complete with its own big Hollywood sign on the hillside. Drop into the Hollywood Inn and get the full story as to how Hollywood California got its name from this Hollywood in County Wicklow.  

Plenty of places for refreshments in this little village but on this occasion, we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch in the courtyard of the Hollywood Inn. 

Wicklow Gap – Glendalough

Stamps on the Passport and then across the Wicklow Gap towards Glendalough. The famous valley of the two lakes is the top visitor attraction in County Wicklow and is steeped in early Christian history. Make time to visit the monastic city dating back to the eight century and stroll by the green road to the upper lake where St Kevin who founded a monastery here in 523 lived in a cave high up over the lakeshore. 

On this occasion we were on a tight schedule, so we did not include Glendalough on our trip itinerary this time. We will keep that for another occasion. Next stop was at Lynhams in Laragh, another stamp there. Great food in a great pub or across the way the quiet setting of the Wicklow Heather restaurant. 

Shekina Sculptures Garden – Rathdrum

Back on the road we join the Military Road again on a section that takes us from Laragh high up into the mountains towards Glenmalure. 

We finished our day in the relaxing surrounds of Shekina Sculpture Garden. Here Catherine Mc Cann welcomed us to this tranquil setting of this no fuss oasis. Perfect spiritual relaxation therapy. You will be invited to take off your shoes and feel the soft grass on your feet while you browse, touch and feel and contemplate the various sculpture pieces.  

About the Author:  This Itinerary is proposed by Eugene Finnegan.  Eugene runs a popular Bus Company based out of Bray.  Eugene is also a fantastic story teller and tour guide.  You can follow Eugene Adventures on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/finnegan.bray

Wicklow Passport:  on this journey, we collected the following Wicklow Passport Stamps:  Enniskerry (@Armoury Cafe), Blessington (@June Blake’s Garden), Hollywood (@Hollywood Inn), Glendalough (@Lynham’s), Rathdrum (@Shekina Garden).  Click here for more info on the Wicklow Passport

Itinerary: