Nature lovers will enjoy this delightful half-day tour that travels outside of Dublin to Wicklow County and the amazing Powerscourt Gardens.
Starting off from the pier, it's a picturesque 75-minute drive south to the wilderness of Wicklow County, a natural scenic wonderland with domed granite mountains and purple glens, soft rolling hills and silvery streams that rush cool and clear from mountain and bogland into the rivers of the countryside. It quite aptly deserves the name Garden of Ireland and is where you will find Powerscourt Gardens.
The vast 47-acre estate, owned by the Slazenger family, is situated on the River Dargle. Within its grounds you will find a blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes, together with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. Open to the public for over 50 years, a major refurbishment was carried out in 1974, but tragically, a fire broke out in the early hours of November 4th that year, leaving only the roofless shell of the main house. The walls of the main house dating back to the 16th century stood as a stark reminder of the fire until 1996 when the rebuilding process began. The result can be seen today with an exhibition of the history of the Powerscourt Estate.
During your time here, you will also have the opportunity to visit the truly unique shop at Powerscourt and its magnificent setting lingers long after your visit. The shop is divided into many different rooms, all of which have their own traditional style and character. These rooms include: a garden gift and pottery room, a clothing room housing both Irish and International designers with jewelry and accessories, and a child's emporium set in the original kitchens of the house. The lovely Terrace Café looks out over the beautiful terrace and gardens and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a coffee and sample the delicious food, freshly cooked in-house each day.
After a thoroughly pleasant visit to these wonderful gardens, you will re-join your coach for the return to the pier in Dublin.
Please note: This tour includes approximately 1 1/2 hours of walking and standing - mostly at the guest's discretion. While some areas of Powerscourt Gardens are not wheelchair accessible, the tour is available to wheelchair guests who are able to make their way on and off the coach and who are accompanied by a companion. Those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability. Weather appropriate clothing and flat, comfortable walking shoes are suggested. Guests should be prepared for the possibility of rain.