Wicklow Trip 2015
The Kilbroney Ramblers' autumn break 2015 was spent in Wicklow. A group of 41 Kilbroney Ramblers stayed 3 nights, from Sunday 4th until Wednesday 7th October, in the Woodenbridge Hotel at Woodenbridge in the Vale of Avoca. As it turned out, the hotel was excellent. Our bedrooms in the lodge were very comfortable and quiet, the breakfasts and evening meals were delicious, the staff were welcoming and helpful at all times and the group price for our stay there was very good.
We had been looking forward to various, enjoyable walks at B, C and T levels. The weather was fine on Sunday afternoon when we arrived - but we were soon going to have a change in the weather, 'A Soft Day' as described in Winifred M. Letts' poem of that name:
'The hills wear a shroud
Of silver cloud,
While the rain drips,
Drips, drips, drips, from the leaves.'
It had rained heavily during Sunday night, but we hoped the weather would improve.
On Monday morning, the B group set off to climb Lugnaquilla, Leinster's highest mountain. The summit is marked by a large cairn with a 'trig' pillar at 925 metres, situated on the small plateau called Percy's Table. The views from Lugnaquilla are magnificent in all directions – except when cloud descends. Statistically, Lugnaquilla is shrouded in mist 5 days out of every 7, and on Monday cloud was pervasive on Lugnaquilla. So due to cloud, there were no views that day. However, the B group succeeded in completing their arduous climb of the highest mountain in Ireland, outside Kerry.
The C group's hill walk from Glenmalure skirted cliffs, traversed heath, crossed a board-walk made from old railway sleepers, and eventually dropped down by the turbulent Poulanass Waterfall to the Glendalough Valley.
The T group followed the Derrybawn Woodland Trail (Orange Route). The walk began with a climb through Derrybawn Forest on Derrybawn Mountain. The wide, airy path was flanked by larch and pine trees, with views on the right overlooking Glendalough Valley. The trail dropped steeply alongside the Poulanass Waterfall, finally skirting the edges of the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake. Then the group arrived at the Monastic City of Glendalough. After leaving Glendalough, the T group went on to view the Meeting of the Waters, and later visited the Avoca Weavers.
On Tuesday, the weather forecast was not at all good for the afternoon, so the longer B walk was cancelled and replaced by two C walks in Glendalough. One C walk was long and challenging, while the second was the looped walk that encircles both the Upper and Lower lakes.
Again due to the weather forecast, as well as wanting to have a more leisurely second day, the T group was much enlarged. Their destination was Avondale House with its 500 acres. The decision was made to do the Forest Walk first, with a visit to Avondale House later. A short walk through forest and meadow brought the group to the delightful River Walk. Sometimes the path was at river level, but mostly it overlooked the gorge – 'The Lovers' Leap' being the highest point, 'The Beach' the lowest. A gentle climb led to Avondale House, once the home of Charles Stewart Parnell. A stop off for refreshments at the cafe was made by some, while others included a visit (with explanatory video) to the beautiful, historic manor house.
On Wednesday, it was time to leave. Bright sunshine and a clear sky made a perfect October day.
Avoca, Glendalough and the Wicklow hills is a very beautiful area. We enjoyed the scenery, a restful time with good food at the Woodenbridge Hotel and the cheerful company of our walking group.
The Kilbroney Ramblers' autumn break 2015 was spent in Wicklow. A group of 41 Kilbroney Ramblers stayed 3 nights, from Sunday 4th until Wednesday 7th October, in the Woodenbridge Hotel at Woodenbridge in the Vale of Avoca. As it turned out, the hotel was excellent. Our bedrooms in the lodge were very comfortable and quiet, the breakfasts and evening meals were delicious, the staff were welcoming and helpful at all times and the group price for our stay there was very good.
We had been looking forward to various, enjoyable walks at B, C and T levels. The weather was fine on Sunday afternoon when we arrived - but we were soon going to have a change in the weather, 'A Soft Day' as described in Winifred M. Letts' poem of that name:
'The hills wear a shroud
Of silver cloud,
While the rain drips,
Drips, drips, drips, from the leaves.'
It had rained heavily during Sunday night, but we hoped the weather would improve.
On Monday morning, the B group set off to climb Lugnaquilla, Leinster's highest mountain. The summit is marked by a large cairn with a 'trig' pillar at 925 metres, situated on the small plateau called Percy's Table. The views from Lugnaquilla are magnificent in all directions – except when cloud descends. Statistically, Lugnaquilla is shrouded in mist 5 days out of every 7, and on Monday cloud was pervasive on Lugnaquilla. So due to cloud, there were no views that day. However, the B group succeeded in completing their arduous climb of the highest mountain in Ireland, outside Kerry.
The C group's hill walk from Glenmalure skirted cliffs, traversed heath, crossed a board-walk made from old railway sleepers, and eventually dropped down by the turbulent Poulanass Waterfall to the Glendalough Valley.
The T group followed the Derrybawn Woodland Trail (Orange Route). The walk began with a climb through Derrybawn Forest on Derrybawn Mountain. The wide, airy path was flanked by larch and pine trees, with views on the right overlooking Glendalough Valley. The trail dropped steeply alongside the Poulanass Waterfall, finally skirting the edges of the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake. Then the group arrived at the Monastic City of Glendalough. After leaving Glendalough, the T group went on to view the Meeting of the Waters, and later visited the Avoca Weavers.
On Tuesday, the weather forecast was not at all good for the afternoon, so the longer B walk was cancelled and replaced by two C walks in Glendalough. One C walk was long and challenging, while the second was the looped walk that encircles both the Upper and Lower lakes.
Again due to the weather forecast, as well as wanting to have a more leisurely second day, the T group was much enlarged. Their destination was Avondale House with its 500 acres. The decision was made to do the Forest Walk first, with a visit to Avondale House later. A short walk through forest and meadow brought the group to the delightful River Walk. Sometimes the path was at river level, but mostly it overlooked the gorge – 'The Lovers' Leap' being the highest point, 'The Beach' the lowest. A gentle climb led to Avondale House, once the home of Charles Stewart Parnell. A stop off for refreshments at the cafe was made by some, while others included a visit (with explanatory video) to the beautiful, historic manor house.
On Wednesday, it was time to leave. Bright sunshine and a clear sky made a perfect October day.
Avoca, Glendalough and the Wicklow hills is a very beautiful area. We enjoyed the scenery, a restful time with good food at the Woodenbridge Hotel and the cheerful company of our walking group.
