County Wicklow

"Garden of Ireland"

The Irish name for Wicklow is Cill Mhantáin. A province of Leinster, it is situated on the East Coast of Ireland. Occupying an area of some 782 Square Miles, it is bounded on the east by the Irish Sea and by counties Wexford (south), Carlow and Kildare (west), and Dublin (north). The administrative centre of the county is Wicklow Town which has a population of 10,000 (approx).County Wicklow has rightly been given the title "Garden of Ireland," it has the world-famous Glendalough, a monastic settlement of the 6th century; and the most breathtaking scenery. It is a paradise for lovers of the outdoor life with rolling hills, deep valleys, domed granite mountains, bogland, forest and farmland.

The proximity to Dublin makes it an ideal choice as a base for a vacation with numerous fine hotels and guest houses located in the most beautiful locations imaginable. A day trip into the capital city will take 1 to 1.5 hours and then you can escape from it all back to the peace and tranquility.

Golfers will find Wicklow to be the number one location in Ireland to play with many world class courses such as Druid's Glen which has hosted the Irish Open on several occassions.

For people with an interest in maritime activities, Wicklow is blessed with some of the finest beaches in Ireland. Swimmers, fishers and sailors are all well catered for. County Wicklow offers the angler an abundance of choice be it river and lake coarse fishing or sea angling that takes his or her fancy. The choice is simply overwhelming when it comes down to where you would like to fish and what you would like to catch. With an abundance of lakes, rivers, and splendid beaches offering up sea and brown trout, salmon, pike, bass, wrasse, codling, place, flounder, mackerel, dogfish, conger eels, and much more than this article can give time to mention, County Wicklow will simply not fail to satisfy. Combined with a scenic backdrop what more could one ask for. For the traveller into Ireland the fishing in Wicklow is easily accessible with its close proximity to Dublin Airport at just over 20km away and the road and rail networks improving at a very rapid rate. The county is also accessible from Dun Laoghaire ferry port to the north of the county and Rosslare port to the south in County Wexford.

Wicklow is derived from the Viking name 'Vykinglo' - the original settlements founded by the Vikings in the 8th century. The county has had a colourful history. St Kevin established a monastic site in the 6th century at Glendalough in the highlands. The lowlands of Wicklow were invaded by the Vikings. Glendalough, the Valley of the Two Lakes, is a major destination for visitors to the county. The round tower dominates the skyline of lakes and valleys. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy marvellous scenic walks and cycling cross-country in the mountains.

The dominant feature of the terrain is the Wicklow Mountains and their foothills; the highest summit is Lugnaquillia (926 m/3039 ft). The rugged, heather-clad Wicklow Mountains, a refuge for Irish rebels in the past, are a popular subject for artists. The county's interesting ruins and many deep glens, which are noted for their beauty, attract many tourists.

The county now has economy based mainly on tourism, livestock production, and dairying. Wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes are main crops. Agriculture in County Wicklow comprises cereals, dairy on the lower land and sheep rearing in the mountains and hills. Agri-business to stem from farming in Wicklow include two indigenous grain drying companies and meat processors. Granite and slate are quarried, and lead, copper, iron, and pyrites are mined.