Wicklow Coastal Drive
Wicklow
About This Route
Wicklow's coastline offers a gentler alternative to the mountains - golden beaches, working fishing harbours, elegant gardens, and charming seaside towns. This route hugs the coast from Dublin Bay to the sunny southeast.
Why This Route?
The Wicklow coast surprises visitors expecting only mountains:
- Sandy beaches - Brittas Bay, Silver Strand, and more
- Historic gardens - Mount Usher, Kilruddery, Powerscourt
- Fishing villages - Working harbours at Arklow and Wicklow
- Family-friendly - Beaches, aquarium, seal watching
- Accessible - Easy driving, good facilities throughout
The Route
Starting from Dublin (Dún Laoghaire)
Begin at this elegant Victorian harbour town. The East Pier walk is a Dublin institution, and the town has excellent restaurants.
Killiney & Dalkey
Millionaires' row with stunning coastal views. Killiney Hill offers one of Ireland's best viewpoints. Dalkey village has literary connections (Maeve Binchy, Flann O'Brien) and boat trips to Dalkey Island.
Bray
A traditional Victorian seaside resort with a long promenade, amusements, and the famous cliff walk to Greystones (6km, 2 hours).
Greystones
Once a fishing village, now an upmarket commuter town. The harbour has excellent restaurants, and the beach is Blue Flag.
Kilruddery House & Gardens
A rare surviving 17th-century garden with elaborate hedging, a sylvan theatre, and Victorian conservatory. The house itself (guided tours) is the seat of the Earl of Meath.
Wicklow Town
The county town has a historic gaol (excellent museum on 1798 Rebellion), a working harbour, and good facilities.
Wicklow Head Lighthouse
A clifftop walk leads to three lighthouse towers - one converted to self-catering accommodation.
Mount Usher Gardens
Twenty acres of wild-style gardens along the River Vartry. Over 5,000 plant species in a romantic setting. Excellent cafe.
Brittas Bay
One of Ireland's finest beaches - 5km of golden sand backed by dunes. Blue Flag quality and relatively uncrowded except peak summer weekends.
Arklow
A historic port town with a maritime museum and pottery tradition. The town was a major shipbuilding centre.
Optional Extension: Courtown
Continue south into County Wexford for more beaches and the Courtown Woods walking trails.
Garden Highlights
Powerscourt Gardens (detour inland)
- 47 acres of formal gardens
- Italianate terraces with mountain views
- Japanese gardens, pet cemetery, walled garden
Mount Usher Gardens
- Robinsonian "wild garden" style
- River Vartry running through
- Specialist plant collections
Kilruddery House & Gardens
- 17th-century formal layout
- Lime avenue and "angles" pond
- Victorian dairy and orangery
Beaches
Brittas Bay
- 5km of sand
- Blue Flag
- Dunes for shelter
- Lifeguard in summer
Silver Strand (Wicklow)
- Sheltered cove
- Rocky at edges for pools
- Less crowded
Greystones South Beach
- Town beach
- Good facilities
- Train access
Family Activities
- Wicklow Gaol - Interactive history museum
- Bray Sea Life - Aquarium near the promenade
- Clara Lara Fun Park - Outdoor adventure (summer)
- Seal watching - Boat trips from Wicklow harbour
- Brittas Bay - Safe swimming, dune exploration
Practical Tips
- Brittas Bay parking - Charges apply; fill up quickly on sunny weekends
- Bray to Greystones cliff walk - Allow 2+ hours; not suitable after dark
- Gardens need time - Don't try to visit all in one day
- Train option - DART serves Bray and Greystones
- Summer weekends - Beaches busy; visit midweek if possible
Recommended fuel stops along this route:
Fuel stations are available in major towns along the route.
