Making Memories
Experiences
Perfectly located to enjoy the best of Wicklow has to offer we have a great choice of activities in the venue and the local area. Known as “The Garden of Ireland”, our venue nestled in the forests and mountains of the spectacular Glen of Imaal never fails to disappoint. We are happy to send you on details and provide directions for any of the wonderful local activities on offer to help you create group memories you’ll never forget.
Dining
As a fully inclusive dining experience, our chefs curate your dining experience from the moment you arrive. With ingredients from our kitchen gardens and our local suppliers, all dietary requirements can be provided for. Our ethos is to be seasonal, sustainable and epic.
Relaxing
Sometimes what you really need is to relax and do absolutely nothing. Plenty off opportunities at The escape with the best beds in Wicklow, giant bean bags, silk hammocks and easy chairs. Take time for yourself and unwind in style.
The Fiery
Our woodfired kitchen is home to smoking, BBQing and hickory smoked ovens. Our chefs prepare your feast of local Wagyu beef, artisan meats with veggie and vegan options. Craft beers accompany your dishes.
Hot Tub Experience
Overlooked by the sugar loaf mountain, our wood-fired hot tub is available for your group. Water is drawn directly from a spring in the mountain and the timber is sourced from our forest. The experience is fantastic for soaking away your tension, whatever the weather! The canopy of oak trees provides great shelter, but you can still see a sky full of stars. Advanced booking is necessary for this popular treat and our staff will ensure it is ready in time for your soak.
Picnic in the Forest
Let us prepare a picnic for you to take into the forest or up for the mountains. Enjoy the miles of fresh air surrounding our secluded escape with mouthwatering delights.
Hiking
Literally through the gates at the back of our one-acre grounds, you have access to some of the most beautiful mountains in Ireland in The Glen of Immal. Our venue started life back in the 1900’s as a hostel for hill walkers where centuries of folk have enjoyed the easy mountain access. An extensive renovation has now upgraded your hillwalking experience with luxury accommodation including rain head power showers, drying facilities and remarkably comfortable beds. Upgrade your walk with a post massage to soothe your tired limbs.
Glendalough
Famous for its stunning scenery and beautiful walks, approximately 40-minute drive from us, is definitely worth a visit for a stroll around the lake and take a few photos of the beautiful scenery. For thousands of years people have been drawn to ‘the valley of the two lakes‘ for its spectacular scenery, rich history, archaeology and abundant wildlife. Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul.
Russborough House & Parklands
Russborough was built between 1741-1750 and is regarded as one of Ireland’s most beautiful houses. It has magnificent views of the Blessington Lakes and Wicklow Mountains. There is a new extensive self-guided exhibition which includes interactive touch screens, audio listening handsets, cinema projections, and films. A parkland walk with magnificent views of the house takes about half an hour. A number of craft workshops are open at various times including a blacksmith with working forge and cafe.
Blessington Greenway
The Blessington Greenway walk links the historic town of Blessington with the Palladian mansion at Russborough House. The trail starts at Blessington and leads south along the shores of Blessington Lakes and through forest and natural woodland.
€20.00 per person for 18 holes.
Blessington Lakes Golf Course
The scene of a famous shoot out during the 1798 Rebellion. It was here that the famed rebel Michael Dwyer fought off the surrounding British troops and made good his escape over the snow-covered mountains. The cottage is traditional thatched, built with stone from the locality and whitewashed inside and out. Following a fire, the cottage lay in ruins for almost 150 years but was later restored to its original form.
Michael Dwyer Cottage
The scene of a famous shoot out during the 1798 Rebellion. It was here that the famed rebel Michael Dwyer fought off the surrounding British troops and made good his escape over the snow-covered mountains. The cottage is traditional thatched, built with stone from the locality and whitewashed inside and out. Following a fire, the cottage lay in ruins for almost 150 years but was later restored to its original form.
June Blakes Garden
The very best gardens intrigue and restore us, and so it is with June Blake's garden which is a rare fusion of inspired design and painterly planting. Situated in the townland of Tinode in west Wicklow, and spread over three rural acres, it wraps itself around June’s home, a handsome Victorian farm-steward’s cottage surrounded by a huddle of austerely beautiful, granite-stone farm buildings, one of which -the Cow House- has recently been the subject of an award-winning, modern architectural conversion.
Huntingbrook Gardens
Located adjacent to June’s garden, situated on the sunny, south-facing flanks of the Lamb Hill in the foothills of the lofty Wicklow mountains, Hunting Brook garden is the boldly idiosyncratic creation of Jimi Blake, the noted Irish horticulturist, teacher and plantsman who first came to prominence during the 1990s as the head gardener of the historic Airfield Gardens in Dundrum, Co Dublin.
Blessington Lakes
Set in the Wicklow Mountains, the Blessington Lakes cover 500 acres water. The Lakes were formed 50 years ago by the building of the Poulaphouca Dam and hydroelectric station.
The Poulaphouca reservoir is the largest man-made lake in Ireland and is a great base for various outdoor activities.
The road around the lake offers amazing views over the reservoir and the Wicklow Mountains. Drive or Cycle around the lake going through historic villages such as Valleymount, Ballyknockan or Lacken.
