Green Meadow Farm is a family-friendly home-from-home set in peaceful countryside between Redcross and Avoca. Enjoy sweeping views across the village of Redcross and down to the sea at Brittas Bay. It’s a great location for relaxing and touring the many great sites and attractions in county Wicklow. There are four different accommodation choices at Green Meadow. The Old Farmhouse is the largest containing four bedrooms, which sleeps 7 people. The Loft, Barley Cottage and The Barn Cottage each have two bedrooms. Enjoy the peace and quiet of rural life in the gardens while the kids work out which part of the windmill to try out first in the Paddocks Playground. At Green Meadow you can experience the simple joys of collecting farm fresh eggs every morning from the popular Cluck Lodge and meet some of the farm animals along the way. Open Year Round, except Christmas & New Year Address: Green Meadow Farm, Web: http://greenmeadowfarm.ie/ Redcross, Email: info@greenmeadowfarm.ie Co. Wicklow. Tel: 087 9320334

Just outside the pretty village of Aughrim is the small hamlet of Macreddin, in the southern foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. Here you will find the renowned Brooklodge Hotel with organic Strawberry Tree Restaurant, Pantry full of Foraged wild and organic foods, and Village Food Market, which together has become one of Ireland’s number one foodie destination in recent years. The Village Food Market allows Artisan Food Producers and Farm Food Producers to showcase and sell their products directly to the public and at the same time is Ireland’s only ’no charge to stall holder market’. Market visitors will experience a wide selection of the freshest and highest quality food stalls, live jazz, a spit roast, organic prosecco, creamy pints from Acton’s Country Pub plus much more. Macreddin Village Food Market - one of Ireland’s longest running Markets, takes place on the first Sunday of the month from April to October and runs from 12 noon to 5pm. Sure to be a fun day out for all the family. Macreddin Village, Web: www.brooklodge.com/ Co Wicklow. Email: info@brooklodge.com Phone: 0402 36444

Aughrim Holiday Village, managed by Trident Holiday Homes, is situated in the beautiful village of Aughrim, near the point where the Ow and Derry Rivers meet. This cluster of pretty riverside holiday homes are beautifully maintained and set in a private cul-de-sac, adjacent to Lawless Hotel. These three bed homes are surrounded by beautiful gardens and offer an open plan fully equipped kitchen and a dining room area with French doors leading out to a rear patio and garden, ideal for outside dining and kids’ games. There is a spacious separate sitting room where guests can relax and watch TV and an additional guest bathroom located on the ground floor. There is also a tennis court onsite and the holiday village backs on to the National Disabled Angling Facility and the Ow River. Address: Aughrim Holiday Village, Web: http://www.tridentholidayhomes.ie Aughrim, Email: reservations@tridentholidayhomes.ie Co. Wicklow. Tel: +353 1 2018400

Wicklow’s mountains, lakes, rivers and forests offer the opportunity to indulge in a vast range of foraging pursuits. Wicklow Wild Foods offers foraging weekly walks from early Spring to late Autumn in the countryside near Aughrim and Rathdrum. Forage for flowers, fruits, nuts and mushrooms, depending on the season. Foraged foods contribute to good health and well-being, as we become more aware of the living world around us, we become naturally mindful as we walk in nature. A walk with an experienced forager is an excellent way to get to know plants in each season, to touch, smell, taste, see plants growing in their own habitat. No matter what your level of experience, there is always more to learn. That is one of the great joys of foraging. Aughrim, Web: https://wicklowwildfoods.com/ Co Wicklow. Email: info@wicklowwildfoods.com Phone: 085 153 8795

Greenan Maze & Farm is one of Wicklow’s most popular family destinations within easy reach of Arklow, a 22km drive through rolling countryside. Families of all ages will enjoy a wonderful fun-filled and active day in the outdoors with a taste of heritage, cultural and nature education on a traditional farm set in the beautiful Wicklow hills. With a full-sized Celtic hedge maze, Solstice maze, three museums: a traditional farm-house museum, bottle museum and farm barn with horse drawn implements, there is lots to here to entertain for hours! The tranquil nature-walk meanders by the farm animals and includes a fun treasure hunt and a fairy tree walk. The on-site coffee shop serves tasty treats and gourmet coffees, and some local crafts and environmentally friendly products. Plenty of picnic tables and undercover outdoor seating for groups and parties. Open: Opening times: 10am to 6pm, last entry 5pm. Easter Weekend: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for Easter Egg Hunts Easter School Holidays: Open everyday April/May: Weekends only and Bank Holiday Mondays June/July/Aug: Open every day. Sept: Weekends only. Address:Greenan Maze, Web: www.greenanmaze.com Greenan, Rathdrum, Email: contact@greenanmaze.com Co Wicklow Phone: 086 8845624

Situated in the small village of Redcross just 13km from Arklow, The Wicklow Brewery is an award-winning craft beer producer that first opened its doors on 5th September 2014. The micro-brewery operates a state of the art 15 Hl Braukon Brew-house, with a reputation for producing high flavoured, smooth tasting superior beers. The Wicklow Brewery aims to control the complete cycle from brewing to bottling, all taking place in our Brewery in Redcross. Their spent grain is even collected by a local dairy farmer who feeds it to his dairy herd. For those who wish to gain a greater understanding of our product, Brewery Tours are available with the Brew master, where you will learn about the milling of the grain in the malt mill, right through the complete brewing process, to the kegging at the end. You’ll be able to taste the malted barley and sample the beers at different stages straight from their fermentation tanks. Beer & Tour Details: Tour & Beer Tasting €15 (60 mins) Audio Visual presentation Personalised tour of the brewery Sit down beer tasting with 5 x 1/3 pint beer samples Brewery Tour with Food & Beer Pairing (minimum 10 people): Tour, Beer Tasting and Food matching €50.00 (2 hours) Audio visual presentation Personalised tour of the Wicklow Brewery Sit down beer tasting with 5 x 1/3 pint beer samples Small food course matched with each beer sample Sample Pairing Menu - Wicklow Weiss served with Mussels cooked in a Thai spiced Wicklow Weiss sauce WB-40 Amber Ale served with WB-40 Beef and Ale pie Wicklow Helles served with light beer battered bites of fish Hopknut served with an Indian curry St Kevin's Red Ale served with Beeramisu dessert

River Valley Holiday Park is one of Ireland’s most popular caravan and camping sites, situated in Redcross village, 12km from Arklow. Here in the peace and tranquillity of the Wicklow countryside as you enjoy this superb 9 – hole foot-golf course adjacent to the site. The only noise to put you off that all important kick is the singing of the birds! The greens are well kept, blending in with the nature of this idyllic location. The course is cleverly landscaped on a challenging 10 acres, suitable for both beginners and the experienced foot golfer. Pay as you play €5 per person. There is also a refundable deposit on each ball of €5. Open: Daily during the Park Season. Visitors must check in at reception. Address Main Street, web: https://www.rivervalleypark.ie/foot-golf/ Redcross, Email: info@rivervalleypark.ie Co. Wicklow. Phone: 0404 41647

The Gardens lies within an estate developed extensively during the 19th Century by Thomas Acton in conjunction with David Moore and his son Sir Frederick Moore, Curators of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, Dublin at that time. It was a period of great botanical and geographical explorations with numerous plant species from around the world being introduced to Ireland for the first time. The different soil and climatic conditions at Kilmacurragh resulted in many of these specimens succeeding there while struggling or failing at Glasnevin. Kilmacurragh is particularly famous for its conifer and rhododendron collections and there is a stunning wildflower meadow in Summer. The 52 acres of wild Robinsonian gardens surround the ruins of a fine Queen Anne style house, the history of which is fascinating. Oliver Cromwell once seized the land under Kilmacurragh House, which included the ruins of a medieval abbey. Subsequent owners used the stones left behind to build the impressive Kilmacurragh House in 1697. The House suffered a devastating fire in 1976 when entire interior was destroyed, and it has remained derelict ever since. Keep an eye out on Kilmacurragh’s social media channels for notice of free seasonal tours of the gardens, carried out by the OPW staff onsite. Brambles Café is open daily for coffees, treats and hot and cold lunches. Open: Winter (1st Nov—mid-Feb) Mon—Sun: 9:00—16:30 Last entry at 16:00 Summer (mid-Feb—Oct) Mon—Sun: 09:00—16:30 Last entry at 16:00 Address: Kilmacurragh, Web: http://botanicgardens.ie/kilmacurragh Kilbride, Email: botanicgardens@opw.ie Co Wicklow Phone: 0404 48844

County Wicklow is home to some of Ireland's finest food and drink producers and collectively 'Wicklow Naturally' champions the food and drink produced and crafted here in the Garden of Ireland. Wicklow Naturally promotes a range of members which include food and drink producers, chefs, cookery schools, restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels, farm shops and specialist retailers. Together they share a deeply rooted passion about provenance, quality and sustainability. You will find the Wicklow Naturally brand on the packaging, in the shop windows and on the menus of food businesses that offer natural Wicklow ingredients. When you seek out Wickow Naturally members and their food, you are eating locally, you are eating with the seasons, and you are eating naturally produced food. Within the Arklow district there are a number of Wicklow Naturally producers – find out more here - https://wicklownaturally.ie/food-and-drink/ or check out their individual profiles below. Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge – https://wicklownaturally.ie/food-and-drink/woodenbridge-hotel-lodge/ Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese - https://wicklownaturally.ie/food-and-drink/wicklow-farmhouse-cheese/ Fed Up Catering - https://wicklownaturally.ie/food-and-drink/fed-up-catering/ Wicklow Brewery - https://wicklownaturally.ie/food-and-drink/wicklow-brewery/ Wicklow Country Berries - https://wicklownaturally.ie/food-and-drink/wicklow-country-berries/ Tipi Adventures Ireland - https://wicklownaturally.ie/food-and-drink/tipi-adventures-ireland/ Wild Wicklow Foods - https://wicklownaturally.ie/food-and-drink/wicklow-wild-foods/ Brooklodge & Macreddin Village - https://wicklownaturally.ie/food-and-drink/brooklodge-macreddin-village/

If you are interested in learning more about the history and heritage of Arklow, pop in to the Arklow Library to view the new Heritage Panels which are in place along the walls of the building. The panels give a timeline of Arklow Town heritage and are an interesting read! There is no charge to visit this exhibition and the panels can be viewed during normal library opening hours. Web: www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Libraries/Library-Branches/Arklow Address: Arklow Library, Main Street, Arklow, Co Wicklow.

The Parnell National Memorial Park, in the centre of Rathdrum and 17km from Arklow, was established to commemorate local-born Irish nationalist hero Charles Stewart Parnell. Nearby Avondale House was the birthplace and home of Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891) remembered as one of the greatest political leaders in Irish history. The Parnell National Memorial Park contains walks, restful seating areas, streams, bronze deer sculpture and the Feagh McHugh O'Byrne Commemorative Stone. The impressive bronze statue of Parnell overlooks the entire Park and if you are visiting Dublin city centre, you will also find a large granite obelisk and bronze stature of Charles Steward Parnell on the capitals’ main thoroughfare O’Connell Street. Also within the park surrounds is an outdoor exercise area, children’s playground and free car parking. Open: 24 hour access Address Main Street, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow Access: Paved paths provided. Some moderate slopes. Parking: in the adjacent carpark (free)

Rathdrum marked the 25th anniversary of The International Cartoon Festival in 2017, a unique event which takes place in July over the course of a weekend. The original festival was devised in 1992 by renowned cartoonists the late Terry Willers, and Martyn Turner. The weekend sees Rathdrum welcome a host of professional cartoonists, caricaturists, illustrators and animators who give talks and pro-workshops for children. These include a workshop on comic writing and developing, covering scriptwriting, layout, and pencilling. There is also a fun human stop motion animation workshop for children. Children’s writers and artists give a variety of drawing and storytelling workshops, and caricature drawing class for all ages. In the past, the festival has featured well known artist Don Conroy who presented a drawing workshop for all ages. On both days you can enjoy live music bands, carnival funfair and lots of family entertainment with a great family-friendly atmosphere. Check out their Facebook page for all the updates.