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County Wicklow
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| Attractions: Glendalough Wicklow |
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| Co. Wicklow Cill Mhantáin Prov. Leinster Republic of Ireland |
| Major cities: Wicklow, Bray, Enniskerry, Greystones, Glendalough, Dunlavin, Rathdrum","Ashford","Brittas Bay, Arklow, Avoca, Newtownmountkennedy, Tinahely, Shillelagh |
| Surface: 2,024 km2 Population: 114,719 |
County Wicklow is one of the scenic highlights of south-east Ireland. The sandy beaches give way to the granite roughness of the Wicklow Mountains, which in turn ending in the central plain.
The Wicklow Mountains are an area of unprecedented beauty, especially when you realise that Dublin is within a stone's throw. Once you are there you will spend hours roaming over the heath land and through forested glens. An unusual feature in the landscape is a sharp and steep ridge cutting the county in two pieces which are interconnected by just two gaps: the Wicklow Gap and the Sally Gap.
Both the River Liffey and the River Slaney rise in the Wicklow Mountains and the Guinness brewery in Dublin extract its enormous water demands from these mountains. So propose a toast on these majestic mountains the next time you drink Guinness.
From the extensive collection of historical sites there are two with the predicate "absolute-must-see": the monastic site Glendalough, with its postcard famous round tower, and Wicklow Gaol, a prison telling the dark side of Irish history since 1702 until 1924.
The Last County
County Wicklow is also known as The Garden of Ireland and The Last County.
The name The Garden of Ireland mainly refers to its natural beauty, although there are also some historical mansions with corresponding laid out gardens. Without a doubt a nice relaxing way to spend an afternoon.
The designation The Last County refers to the age of the county and not particularly to the alphabetical position of County Wicklow. County Wicklow was established in 1605, from land formerly previously belonging to County Dublin, and is therewith the youngest of the 32 Irish counties.