Along with St. Mary’s Park on Main Street, The Bloom Garden and the Abbey Cemetery & Rose Garden, there are four additional Urban Spaces that make up the ‘Town of Gardens Trail’. Exploring the trail with 7 gardens combined, is a lovely way to spend a relaxing day in Arklow and the total looped routes is 5km. Dispensary Garden Located on the site of the former Ferrybank Dispensary on the Dublin Road, this tiny haven is a welcome rest stop where you can relax and reflect. The earliest date recorded for the dispensary is 1851 and it was finally closed in 1954. The building itself was removed in the early 1970. The Ferrybank Dispensary worked in tandem with the fever hospital, which was located in the vicinity. The horticulture of this unique garden reflects the purpose of the dispensary in serving the health and medical needs of the community for over one hundred years. Herbs such as mint, lemon grass, chamomille, lemon balm, echinacea and other plants that have medicinal benefits grow in this garden and are available to sample at your discretion. Open: 24 hour access Address Dublin Road, Arklow Co Wicklow Access: Small path provided

Nestled between The Arklow Nature & Wildlife Reserve and Arklow Caravan Park, is a small recently reclaimed area of scrub land which is now a short looped walk. The adjacent raised North Coastal Walk is a perfect complementary extension with wonderful views of the whole coastline to be enjoyed from this vantage point. The Park forms part of the original Kynock’s site which spread 2km along the coastline, cover 400 acres, and was one of the largest explosive manufacturing facilities in the UK and Ireland. During the height of production during the first world war, 3,000 people were employed. In 1917 there was a terrible explosion which rocked the whole district and led to the loss of 27 lives. The factory eventually closed in 1919 with the end of the war and the sea has since reclaimed much of the site. Parking: Along the adjacent Seaview Avenue (free) Public Toilets: Main Street Car Park – 15 minutes walk

The Abbey of the Holy Cross was a Dominican Friary established in Arklow in the year 1264, at the invitation of Theobald FitzWalter, Chief Butler of Ireland who had been granted the town of Arklow and its hinterlands in around 1185. There is evidence of the importance placed on the Abbey when in 1414 Pope John XXII granted an indulgence to those who visited the Abbey in Arklow. This gave freedom to people from being punished for previously committed sins, which points to the possibility of a relic of the Holy Cross being kept in the Abbey, however there is no concrete evidence of this. The Abbey was suppressed in 1539, the Dominicans and the friars abandoned the Abbey, and it fell into ruins with no trace of the original structure today. The adjacent Abbey Cemetery is all that remains, as well as the limestone cross said to have come from the Abbey Church. Musket balls have been found embedded in the cemetery dry stone walls, relics of the 1798 rebellion, which saw one of the bloodies battles of the Irish Rebeilion take place in Arklow, with rebel casualties estimated at about 1,000. For more information on this you can read the historic panels on display within the Cemetery walls. This spiritual oasis of peace is home to a wonderful display of roses in Summer, which were chosen for the garden due to their symbolic link to Christianity. Open: 10am to 4pm daily Address: Main Street Arklow Co Wicklow Access: Ramp and paved paths provided Parking: in the adjacent carpark (paid)

Just a short walk from Arklow’s Town Centre, are Arklow South Beach and The Cove. On route you will pass through the busy working Harbour area where Ireland’s oldest RNLI Lifeboat Station, established 1826, lies on the South Quay dockside. Embrace the fresh sea air and feel the soft sand between your toes on South Beach – a beach that has been ten times recipient in recent years of the prestigious Green Flag, awarded to beaches prized for their unspoiled and natural environment. Towards the south end of the beach is a small sheltered and shallow, tide dependant, beach known as The Cove, which is ideal for families with small children who like to splash at the water’s edge. It is possible to drive to and park at The Cove - continue past South Beach along the road sandwiched between the shore and the Arklow Golf Club. Just before the Roadstone Quarry entrance, take the left entrance under the barrier. Arklow South Beach is popular with anglers and water sports including kite surfing and kayaking, while The Cove is more suited to bathers. Looking out to sea from here you notice the Arklow Bank Wind Park, the first offshore wind farm in Ireland and the world’s first commercial application of offshore wind turbines over 3 megawatts in size. It is located on the Arklow Bank, a shallow water sandbank in the Irish Sea, around 10km off the coast. Services: Lifeguard (South Beach): June to September Car Park. Picnic tables. Litter Bins. Nearest public toilets: South Beach What’s Nearby: Arklow Golf Club Arklow Rock Walk Nun’s Beach

The Wicklow Passport is an exciting new initiative from Visit Wicklow Tourism and a fun way to help you to discover new places around the Garden of Ireland. With over 20 stamping locations dotted around County Wicklow, you can pop into a business in each locality to have your Wicklow Passport stamped with the uniquely designed stamp from that location. Think Camino! Order your Wicklow Passport for just €2 online here - visitwicklow.ie/passport Click on each of the icons on the website to get a list of Stamping Locations in that town or village. You will also find a list of things to do in each location to help you plan your holiday adventures in Wicklow. If you collect 15 or more stamps, you will become a Wicklow Ambassador and receive a Certificate. How to use the Wicklow Passport: From Arklow, we recommend you take some time to explore the Arklow District, which stretches up along the coast to Brittas Bay, over to Redcross village, across to Rathdrum and the Glenmalure Valley, down to Greenan and Aughrim, and back via the Vale of Avoca to your base in Arklow. Happy Stamping!

Arklow Maritime Museum & Heritage Research Centre, located on the North Quay, looks out over the Great Estuary of the River Avoca. As you embark on your voyage of discovery inside the museum, explore a treasure trove of maritime memorabilia - you will soon begin to understand the significance of the Sea to Arklow’s heritage. Arklow's extraordinary maritime heritage is reflected in a unique and significant collection which extends to international waters. Treasures of the boat building, lifeboat, and fishing traditions of Arklow have been collected, preserved and are now on display, and are further brought to life by the wonderful museum staff who have many tales to tell! Explore models of vessels built in Arklow, tools, navigational equipment, paintings, and artefacts. These include Sir Francis Chichester's Gypsy Moth III. Children will love the operational model of the wheelhouse controls of a trawler. View the Arklow Geansaí – older than the Aran version, and unique and intricate jumper knitted without a seem, on a single needle. Open: Open Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., except 1 Jan and 24th, 25th, & 26th December. Arklow Maritime Museum, web: https://www.arklowmaritimeheritage.ie/ Bridgewater Centre, Email: info@arklowmaritimeheritage.ie Arklow, Phone: 0402 91683 Co Wicklow

This glorious sandy beach, sheltered by the sheer face of the Arklow Rock, is just a short walk further beyond Arklow South Beach & The Cove. Following the gravel path leading from the rear of The Cove carpark, you will arrive to panoramic coastal views at Nuns Beach and Clogga Bay, which is also accessible at low tide when it’s possible to walk all the way to Clogga through the shallow water, around the rock face. Take note of tides so you don’t get stranded on your return! Families will love exploring the rock pools with crabs and starfish, as well as silvery shoals of tiny fish darting around, and finding hidden caves along the beach. Look out for The Smugglers Cave, a tunnel-like opening in the Rock, which was originally created by mining activity related to the adjacent quarry but was later said to have been used by pirates to hide their smuggled loot! Look up – the large stone overhanging the rockface is called ‘The Hanging Stone’. This boulder is so delicately balanced on another rock that it looks like it could topple at any moment. It’s said to have been a place where Irish people were hung in times gone by. Services: Car Park at The Cove – 5-minute walk Nearest public toilets: 5 minute walk – The Cove

A modern 9-screen cinema, Omniplex Cinema Arklow is centrally located in the Bridgewater Shopping Centre. There are 9 LED screens to keep you entertained, showing all the latest film releases, OmniplexMAXX screen. Tickets, popcorn, soft drinks and a wide selection of confectionery and ice cream can be purchased at one point and a handy express self-service credit card booking and collection system is in place. Omniplex Cinema Arklow offer the very best in modern cinema technology and the following is standard: * Rocker adjustable seating with spacious leg room * wheelchair accessible screens * Oversized wall to wall screens * 3D performances * Saturday Kids Club screenings * Dolby digital surround sound * An audio loop system for the hard of hearing * Allocated seating on selected performances * Air conditioning A great activity to keep the family entertained in the evening or on a rainy day in Arklow! Open: Open Sun - Thurs 13.30 – 23.30, Saturday & Sunday 11.30 – 23.30. Address: Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Web: https://www.omniplex.ie/cinema/arklow Arklow, Email: arklow@omniplex.ie Co Wicklow Phone: 0402 45050

Arriving to Arklow by boat? Arklow is just a day’s sail from Dublin, Greystones, Kilmore, Holyhead, Pwllheli and Milford Haven. The town’s location is ideally placed for basing yourself as you explore the area – Arklow is known as the ‘Gateway to the Glens’ – in just 30 minutes you can reach Glenmalure and Glendalough. Arklow Marina is situated on the North Bank of the river, upstream of the commercial quays. The marina has 42 berths in the inner basin and a further 30 berths on river side pontoons. Visitors and vessels over 12m are advised to berth on the riverside pontoons. On-site marina services provide for security, hard standing, cranage, power, fresh water, toilet, and shower facilities. Other services such as fuel, gas, chandlery, and provisions are all within a short distance of the Marina facility. Adjacent to the marina is Arklow Sailing Club and its facilities, and Bridgewater Shopping Centre which has all your shopping needs including ATM, restaurants, pharmacy, internet facilities and a multi-cinema complex. Arklow Main Street is 250m from the Marina. Address Arklow North Quay, Arklow, Co Wicklow www.arklowmarina.com phone 087 2588078 or 087 2375189 social: https://www.facebook.com/arklowmarina

It’s not difficult to visualise that the Arklow Rock, which dominates the skyline to the South Coast, was once an active volcano. The lava erupting from the earth’s core left impermeable igneous stone, the most valuable of which was blue basalt and speckled grey granite, attracting quarrying at the site since Parnell’s time in the 19th Century. The quarry is still active however walkers can now enjoy a trail that has been developed by current quarry operators Roadstone, along the higher point of Arklow Rock that skirts around the quarrys’ edge. Follow the gravel path to the rear of The Cove carpark and continue past the tall concrete silos of the quarry. On the right you will see a metal gate and quite a steep incline which is the start of the walk. After this initial climb the gravel trail gently undulates as it hugs the coastline. The linear walk is approximately 5km out and back with stunning views south towards Wexford and the Wicklow Mountains northwards. The rocky headlands in this area support important breeding colonies of seabirds such as Kittiwake, Guillemot, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull and Fulmar. This is a popular spot for birdwatchers, photographers and walkers. Parking: Car Park at The Cove – (free) Nearest public toilets: 5 minute walk – South Beach

Arkventure is a new exciting social enterprise offering fun experiential learning opportunities for people of all ages. Outdoor Learning with Arkventure is a broad term that includes discovery, experimentation, learning about and connecting to the natural world and engaging in environmental and adventure activities. Arkventure offers single or multi-day expeditions, woodland and coastal learning, youth or community activity courses, school trips, outdoor and adventure sports coaching, sailing, powerboat training experiences and a full range of eco education and social history packages. The ethos of Arkventure supports the transformation of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours through direct engagement with the outdoor environment for the personal and social benefit of individuals, families, society, community, and our planet. Your Arkventure experience is more than adventure sports or simply taking what could happen indoors outside - the aim is to provide the broadest range of outdoor experience’s tailored to your needs, in the most sustainable and environmentally secure manner possible. Open: Year-Round - Contact Arkventure for bookings. Address Arklow Harbour & Block B Kish Business, Arklow, Co Wicklow www.arkventure.ie Info@arkventure.ie Social: www.facebook.com/arkventure.ie phone: 0402 33505

Glenart Wood is situated to the south of the Avoca River and access is just 1.5km from Arklow Town centre. The Glenart Estate dates from the Norman invasion when Theobald Walter, from whom the Butlers and the Dukes of Ormond are descended, was granted large tract of lands in County Wicklow. Glenart Castle, which is now privately owned, remains and you will catch glimpses of it through the woodlands. Glenart Woods are nestled in a small glen with streams flowing through it into the Avoca River, making for a pleasant and tranquil 5km looped walk. Walking clockwise around the loop you quickly reach another forest road on your right. Continue straight for approximately 150m and you reach a junction that leads to the "stone bridge" on the left. A slight diversion from the loop across the stone bridge affords views over Arklow and the coast. Back on the loop walk bear right at the stone bridge as you progress along the southern side of the wood. A quarry is lies on your right and 300m further on you turn right at a junction. A further 500m further on the road bends to the right as you continue along the northern side of the walk. The loop is completed at the footbridge and walkers leave the site by retreating down the forest road on the left to the forest barrier. Parking: limited in front of the barrier. Grade: Easy for the most part. Not suitable for Wheelchair users. Robust buggies will cope with the route.