Wicklow Gaol - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

On the eastern outskirts of Wicklow Town on a rock above the sea lies the ruin of Black Castle. Only a few fragments of the wall remain of the castle built by the Normans at the end of the 12th century. It stands on a rocky promontory over the sea, at the eastern side of the town. Following the arrival of the Norman’s in 1169 Earl Strongbow was granted the lands along the East Coast. He in turn granted those lands to Baron Maurice Fitzgerald on condition that he build castles for protection.

Wicklow Head Lighthouse has safeguarded the scenic Wicklow coastline since 1781. It is a peace seeker's haven with inspiring and refreshing views of the Irish Sea. The landscape and scenery surrounding the lighthouse provide a perfect backdrop for a unique and memorable break. Today, it is a self-catering holiday home. It can be booked through the Irish Landmark Trust.

Wicklow Head Lighthouse was the one of two lighthouses built on the headland in 1781. The lighthouse originally had an eight-sided lantern on top of it. The original lighthouse actually consisted of two structures to differentiate between Hook Head Lighthouse to the South in Wexford and Baily Lighthouse on Howth Head to the North in Dublin. The rear tower was built as an eight-sided lantern in 1781 powered by 20 tallow candles reflected against a mirror.

Mount Usher is recognised at home and abroad as one of the earliest and finest examples of a ‘Robinsonian’ garden. Extending to 22 acres, it combines a champion collection of trees and shrubs with inspirational floral planting schemes along both sides of the River Vartry. It feature water as an essential part of the scenery, with cascades and suspension bridge visible from many sections. Winding paths lead visitors on a journey through groves and glades and on to the river banks.

The Devil’s Glen boasts a dramatic landscape that was fashioned at the end of the Ice Age when the melt waters of the ice sheet created the valley. The resultant gorge affords a swift decent for the Vartry River as it makes its way from the Vartry Reservoir to nearby Ashford village. The site hosts a mixture of broad leaf and conifer forest with fine stands of beech, Spanish chestnut and ash.

This is a botanic garden outside Wicklow Town, County Wicklow, Ireland. It is a satellite of the main National Botanic Gardens located in Glasnevin, County Dublin. The 52 acre gardens are situated 5km from exit 18 on the M11 motorway. It is now part of the National Botanic Gardens, providing a complementary collection of plants to its parent garden at Glasnevin. Arrive in spring to witness the transformation of the walks, as fallen rhododendron blossoms form a stunning magenta carpet.