Dublin: daytrip to Wicklow

by | Mar 1, 2018 | International Travel, Travel

I found a crazy cheap rental car deal for the weekend so on Saturday we headed south out of town for the day toward Wicklow Mountains National Park. Light rain turned to light snow and as we climbed, the views became stark and wintery. Thankfully the roads weren’t too icy so we continued on – having Sally Gap almost entirely to ourselves.

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Wicklow Mountains National Park

As we lost elevation, the snow disappeared and we were greeted with lush green landscapes and the scenic Glenmacnass Waterfall.

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Glenmacnass Waterfall

We had to hike down the road a mile from the pullout area for this photo as there isn’t a safe place to stop in a car.

We had decided on the Wicklow Heather for lunch after discovering it had Glendalough whisky flights available. Though we didn’t have reservations, there were some tables available and we were seated promptly in the converted church. My meal of salmon gravlox and pate was delicious (the toasted brown bread was divine) and Eric really enjoyed his mixed green salad… plus the aforementioned whiskey flight. I nursed my glass of wine and then had a decaf latte – had to make sure we could get back to Dublin!

Eric @ The Wicklow Heather  lunch @ The Wicklow Heather

whiskey flight @ The Wicklow Heather

We had a few hours of daylight left so we made a quick stop at the Glendalough Monastic Site for some photos (a small waterfall!) and leg stretching.

Glendalough Monastic Site

Glendalough Monastic Site

Glendalough Monastic Site  waterfall @ Glendalough Monastic Site

Lower Lake @ Glendalough Monastic Site

We highly recommend this easy day trip from Dublin.

Our Itinerary

2025 Trips

Buenos Aires, Argentina (Feb)
Bariloche, Argentina (Feb)
Iguazu Falls, Argentina (Feb)
Boston, MA (Apr)
Kathmandu, Nepal (May)
Bhutan (May)

2024 Trips

San Diego, CA (Jan)
Sarasota, FL (Feb)
Madrid, Spain (Mar)
Valencia, Spain (Mar+Apr)
Palma, Mallorca (Apr)
Croatia (May)
Long Island, NY (July)
Faroe Islands (Aug)
London, UK (Sept)
Puglia, Italy (Sept)
Matera, Italy (Oct)
Rome, Italy (Oct)
Mosel Valley, Germany (Oct)
Frankfurt, Germany (Oct)
London, UK (Dec)
Manchester, UK (Dec)

2022 Trips

Florida (Feb)
NC Mountains (Apr)
Washington DC (Apr)
Valencia, Spain (May)
Hilton Head, SC (May)
Pacific NW (Jun)
Long Island (Jul)
Florida (Sept)
Chicago (Sept)
Poland (Sept)
NC Mountains (Nov)
Euro Xmas Markets (Dec)