Travel Options
- Nearest Airport : Dublin at 50 miles distance;
- Nearest Train Station : Rathdrum at 10 miles distance
- Nearest Town : Aughrim at 7 miles distance
Owner Location Comment
EXPLORING THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS
The Military Road weaves its way through the rugged Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin. A thin ribbon of asphalt the only visible sign of mans intervention in the purple, heather clad landscape. The road was quite a feat of engineering when constructed by the British Redcoats in the aftermath of the 1798 Rebellion. Its purpose - to allow easy access to a region untamed by the power of the most powerful empire of the time. The route traverses some of the loveliest scenery in Europe, including the serenely beautiful ancient lakeside monastery at Glendalough. Today, in altogether more peaceful days, the road ends in Aughavannagh Valley, a quiet mountain glen only 40 miles south of Dublin.
County Wicklow is situated on Ireland’s east coast and is known as ‘The Garden of Ireland’. It manages to pack amazing variety into a relatively compact area including stunning mountain scenery, long golden beaches and a wealth of historical attractions from ancient monastic settlements to fine period houses and estates. Long glaciated valleys punctuate a wild and untamed expanse of mountains whilst in the valleys between, pretty villages provide welcoming pubs and restaurants.
Wicklow contains some of the most appealing landscapes in Ireland - the equal of the more famous areas of Kerry, Cork and Connemara. For an area so easily accessible from air and ferry ports, the area is blissfully devoid of mass tourism; indeed one of the greatest challenges for the visitor is to find high quality accommodation with character that can accommodate larger families or groups.
Deep in the mountains off the beaten track lies Aughavannagh (from the Irish Acadh Bheannach – the Middle Field) - a great bowl of a valley dominated by the 3000 foot Luqnaquilla Mountain. Here, tucked away up a leafy lane off a quiet country road lies Aughavannagh Cottage, a beautifully restored old Irish farmhouse. Aughavannagh Cottage was recently described by The Irish Times as ‘High in the Wicklow Mountains, just the most picture perfect example of a country home. It retains the 19th century cottage feel, but with all the comforts of a good home away from home.’
Sleeping up to 7, this lovely cottage is full equipped with every modern convenience and is my favourite Irish holiday home Easily accessible from Dublin, this is the perfect venue for golf, hill walking, sailing and fishing - or just lazing about enjoying the beautiful Irish landscape.
The cottage has a lovely kitchen with a huge old farmhouse table and oil fired range as well as a modern hob and oven. There’s a pretty sitting room with turf fire, TV, video and stereo system. There are two beautiful double bedrooms, a twin room and one single bed room - all with fabulous views as well as two bathrooms - one upstairs and one downstairs. There’s also a utility room with washing machine and dryer. The house is set on 5 acres with ample space for sitting outside and there is garden furniture and a barbecue.
Nearby there are many pretty villages (including 'Ballykissangel' of BBC TV fame) complete with welcoming pubs and restaurants. The village of Aughrim (recent winner of Irelands Tidiest Town) is 20 minutes away and the lovely beach at Brittas Bay is a little over half an hour down the valley to the sea.
In this beautiful setting, secluded but not remote, it’s hard to believe you are only an hour’s drive from Ireland’s vibrant capital city of Dublin. Easily accessible for day trips to the Guinness brewery and Trinity College, Dublin provides fabulous shopping on Grafton Street or an opportunity to visit to one of the cities famous pubs.
Back in the mountains, it’s always worth calling in to the Glenmalure Lodge pub over the pass in the next valley to Aughavannagh. Here, Pat and Anne and their friendly staff serve creamy pints of Guinness to sheep farmers, lumberjacks, postmen and various assorted locals and visitors alike. The welcome is as warm as that to be found in the glens or cities anywhere else in Ireland.
For the golfer, Aughavannagh Cottage is within easy reach of some of Ireland’s greatest courses with a wide variety of venues to choose from. Challenging coastal links and beautiful parkland settings are all nearby. For instance Druids Glen, recent hosts of the Irish Open is a short 40 minute drive. At many of the courses green fees are surprisingly reasonable, particularly during the week and the keen golfer will find the Irish golfing experience refreshingly informal and sociable. There is an almost overwhelming choice in the sheer variety of quality courses to choose from. For those who would like to play a different venue every day, courses such as the world famous Mount Juliet and the magnificent K Club (home of the Ryder Cup in 2007) are both less than 90 minutes away.
For those keen on enjoying Irelands growing reputation for great food, the Brooklodge Hotel (20 minutes from Aughavannagh) provides tempting dining opportunities at its famed Strawberry Tree restaurant where the emphasis is on organic produce sourced fresh from local suppliers. If some personal pampering is required, The Wells spa provides a range of treatments adjacent to the hotel. Meanwhile for the young and young at heart, both Clara Lara Fun Park and Greenan Maze & Museum are also within a 20 minute drive, providing additional leisure opportunities.
All told, County Wicklow and Aughavannagh Cottage could be the perfect solution for those looking to experience the real Ireland.
