• Glendalough Monastic Settlement - St. Kevin was a Christian mystic and ascetic who lived as a hermit. He established the monastery at Glendalough and was also a poet and writer, creating rules for Irish monks in verse. The earliest source about St. Kevin is an 11th-century text called Latin Lives, written 500 years after his time, and currently preserved in the remarkable Marsh’s Library in Dublin, which has remained unchanged for 300 years. Although records suggest St. Kevin was born in 498, the more reliable Annals of Ulster note his death in 618, making it unlikely he lived to 120 in a secluded cave during the early Middle Ages. Therefore, it is more plausible he was born later in the 6th century.

In 1214, the dioceses of Glendalough and Dublin merged, leading to a decline in Glendalough’s cultural and ecclesiastical significance. Despite being destroyed by English forces in 1398, the settlement remained a church of local importance and a pilgrimage site.

• Guinness Lake - Lough Tay, along with Glendalough, is one of the most photographed spots in Wicklow. The breathtaking landscape of the lake surrounded by mountains makes it one of Ireland’s most iconic locations.

Lough Tay is fed by the Cloghoge River and drains into Lough Dan to the south. The northern beach features bright white sand, imported by the Guinness family, whose estate encompasses part of the Lough Tay area. The lake’s shape, with the white sand at the top, resembles a pint of Guinness!

Did you know that the main ingredient in a pint of Guinness comes from Wicklow? Water!!!

The best place to view Lough Tay is along the Military Road above, at the junction with the Wicklow Way, offering stunning views over the Wicklow Mountains.

• Sally Gap - The road to Sally Gap offers spectacular views of the surrounding blanket bog and the Wicklow Mountains. Sally Gap is one of two east-to-west passes…

Why is it called Sally Gap?
The name suggests a ‘gap’ (bearna) at this location and a ‘road’ or ‘way’ (bealach). The final part of the name likely comes from the Irish word sailearnán (genitive: sailearnáin).

PS I Love You set in the Sally Gap

County Wicklow locations featured in “PS I Love You” include Blessington Lakes, Lacken, Wicklow Mountains, and The Sally Gap. The film was shot in Ireland for about ten days, with a few days at Whelan’s Pub in Dublin.

• Powerscourt Waterfall - Movies at the Waterfall

Since the 1920s, movies and TV series have been filmed at the waterfall, with the popular show “Vikings” being one of the more recent in 2015. The untouched, timeless setting of the waterfall makes it a favorite for directors of historical dramas.

About Powerscourt Waterfall

Powerscourt is Ireland’s tallest waterfall, offering a chance to experience the natural wonder of a waterfall. The sound and movement of the water are soothing, and the ions associated with waterfalls energize and relax us. It features unusual tree species and some of the tallest trees in Ireland, along with an interesting history involving Lord Powerscourt Deer Park and the introduction of Sika Deer to Ireland.

• Powerscourt House & Gardens - Ranked among the top ten houses worldwide by Lonely Planet, the Palladian mansion at Powerscourt offers a wealth of experiences for visitors.

Whether you’re looking to purchase unique and high-quality Irish designs in the shops or enjoy a relaxing break with coffee and cake at the Avoca Terrace Cafe, the house provides everything you could desire, set in stunning surroundings that have been featured in numerous films and TV series.

Making Movie Magic

Over fifty films and TV series have been shot at the Powerscourt Estate since Laurence Olivier filmed “Henry V” here in 1944. Whether you’re scouting for a location for your next project or imagining yourself alongside stars like Tom Cruise or Anne Hathaway, exploring the estate’s cinematic history is part of the fun.

• Powerscourt Distillery - Gerry Ginty and his business partner, local entrepreneur Ashley Gardiner, proposed building a whiskey distillery to the estate owners, The Slazenger Family, on one of Ireland’s great estates. Planning permission was granted in 2015, and the project was ready for investment.

Powerscourt Distillery is now leading a new era of whiskey production in Co. Wicklow under the guidance of Master Distiller Paul Corbett and Head of Whiskey John Cashman. Both are visionaries with extensive knowledge and experience in the Irish whiskey industry.

This year, Powerscourt Distillery released its first Fercullen Single Malt, distilled and matured onsite, winning GOLD at the 2023 Icons of Whiskey Awards.

• County Wicklow - Travel time to Wicklow can vary due to traffic, so allow for 2 hours.

• Private transportation
• On-board WiFi
• Bottled water
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Parking fees

• Entrance fees
• Entrance fees
• Entrance fees

Explore the Landscapes of County Wicklow with Murphy Hidden Ireland
Discover the incredible attractions in Wicklow. The Sally Gap, Guinness Lake (Lough Tay), and Wicklow Mountains National Park are all stunning locations. ‘The Vikings’ and ‘P.S. I Love You’ were filmed here. Keep your distance as you explore Wicklow’s hidden walking gems.

Known as the “Garden of Ireland”, Wicklow historically had the highest percentage of woodlands in the county.

‘Beyond the Trees Avondale’ is a new world-class visitor destination in Ireland’s Ancient East that reopened in June 2022 after a €19 million redevelopment project by Coillte in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and EAK Ireland.

Braveheart

Starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, and Brendan Gleeson. The multiple Academy Award-winning film depicts part of the story of the First War of Scottish Independence and features scenes filmed in Wicklow’s Sally Gap!

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.