Enniskerry- Co Wicklow, home of Powerscourt Gardens

Visiting Enniskerry Co Wicklow:

Perhaps best known for the fabulous ‘Powerscourt estate’, Enniskerry is a thriving postcard-picturesque village set in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains. And is only a short drive from Dublin with a good bus service (44 bus) including a nitelink service.

The wooded countryside around Enniskerry offers some beautiful walks and many a cosy tearoom such as Poppy’s Restaurant to enjoy refreshments in.

The Powerscourt Estate itself is a popular tourist attraction with the gardens offering the visitor over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs, A stunning 18th Century palladian house with terrace cafes, house exhibitions and shopping facilities on site. Explore them online at www.powerscourt.ie.

The powerscourt golf course is an 18-hole course with stunning views. My favourite however, is the Powerscourt waterfall which is small compared to such world famous falls as the niagra falls however, it is quite charming and is Irelands highest waterfall at (bless us! 398 feet. That’s about 397 times higher than me!!!

This area is a natural haven for wildlife and the following birds can be heard: the chaffinch, cuckoo (fast disappearing), Chiffchaff, Raven and Willow Warbler plus tree creepers can be seen in the trunks of the giant redwood trees that are found near the base of the waterfall. A nature trail has been laid out around the base of the waterfall so nose to the ground and off you go! Or is that just us dogs?.

If you feel like treating yourself or someone special (like me..) you must visit the highly recommended and well known health farm that is Powerscourt springs. Visit them at www.powerscourtsprings.ie for details of their pampering offers and mini breaks.

A popular wedding venue in the area is the comfortable and friendly Summerhill House Hotel as it is out of the city but easily reached.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Powerscourt will open in late summer 2007 featuring luxurious accommodations, an outstanding spa with 20 treatment rooms, two championship golf courses and all within the beautiful gardens of Powerscourt Estate. Word has it that Gordan Ramsay is opening a restaurant here too. yum! I wonder if they accommodate pets as I would like to take my human with me sometime.

Alternatively if you wish to stay closer to the Glencree / Glencullen – home of Johnny Foxes Pub ( a very popular night out’s entertainment to be had here; see www.jfb.ie for more info) area you may like to check out oaklawns B& B’s website @ www.oaklawnhouse.com.

Woodland Walks:
Cloon- 5km trail located just 6.5km west of Enniskerry on the road to Glencree. There are Forest walks here featuring the remains of small farms against a backdrop of flourishing gorse and bracken.
Crone is a 10km trails southwest of Enniskerry also on the road to Glencree which has car park, forest walks and access to Djouce woods.

Fassaroe Sporting Club are also located in Enniskerry and offer competitive shooting facilitites in shotgun, sporting rifle, target rifle and air rifle. Their website is currently unavailable however, you can contact them on: +353 (0)1 3761523 or + 353 (0)87 2243829.

For the horse lovers among you why not visit Oakfield Stables by telephoning them on +353 (0)1 2829296 or the nearby Brennanstown Riding stables in Bray comes highly recommended.

Glenwood Inn: Enniskerry. A unique blend of traditional styling in a contemporary setting. Food served daily from 12.30 to 14.30. Music and karaoke at weekends with set dancing on Tuesday nights. Tel: 00353 (0) 12863513