The Raheenleagh Wind Farm is located 10km west of Arklow on the slopes of Croghan Mountain. There are 3 trails totalling 15km which lead up to eleven 80m high wind turbines with stunning views over the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea. At the entrance to Raheenleagh, meaning the small grey rath or fort, is a site known locally as the ‘White Heaps’ due to the cairns of quartz which may have marked prehistoric burial mounds. Bronze Age graves or cists were also found at Ballinagore Bridge and a decorated burial urn from that period is in the National Museum. The present windfarm and walking trails at Raheenleagh now welcome visitors, and the site in managed by Coillte and the ESB. There are three waymarked trails: Croghan trail (blue trail) which passes close to three wind turbines as it makes its way up to a spectacular viewing point which includes a view of the old goldmining area in Ballinagore Bridge. The trail is also the traditional walking route to the summit of Croghan mountain (606m). Forde’s Farmhouse trail (green trail) is named after the Forde family, the owners of most of the land on Raheenleagh up until the early 1940s. This trail marks the path used over the years to get to the dances in Ballycoog via the viewing point on Croghan hill, a walk of about eight miles, each way. Bann River trail (red trail) separates from the Forde Farmhouse trail just after it passes over the source of the Bann river which is a key tributary of the Slaney and provides a lot of the drinking water for North Wexford. Parking: Off road, at the barrier. Grade: Easy Not suitable for Wheelchair users. Robust buggies will cope on these trails.

The hotel is a great base from which to explore and discover all that this part of County Wicklow has to offer and is easily accessible with good bus and train links plus has ample onsite free parking. Onsite dining options include The Pottery Restaurant and The Ferrybank Lounge, with live music at weekends. Open: Year Round Address: Sea Rd Web: https://www.arklowbay.com/ Ferrybank, Email: reservations@arklowbay.com Arklow, Tel: 0402 26200 Co. Wicklow.

Brittas Bay South Beach is a beautiful long sandy beach, 12km north of Arklow, and is the most popular beach in Wicklow. The 5 km stretch of beautiful white sand dunes and clean beaches has been awarded and maintained the Blue Flag for many years. It is ideal for bathing, walking and a multitude of water sports including sailing, kite surfing, SUP and surfing. Brittas Bay is a popular spot with day trippers so it can get rather busy here during the peak season. However, the beach is expansive and the dunes behind offer lots of opportunities to find yourself a quiet spot. The 3.2km stretch of sand dune system is a designated Special Area of Conservation, as they are home to a varied biodiversity of wildlife species & plants. Within the back area known as a dune heath, there are also small areas of lichen and mosses where rare orchids grow in the late spring and early summer. Services: Lifeguard (South Beach): June to September Car Park (€4 charge applies during peak summer months). Picnic tables Food & Ice Cream Truck in peak season. Litter Bins. Public Toilets.

Bait & Equipment: There are two tackle shops in Arklow who stock a ready supply of fresh lugworm, ragworm, and crab, with frozen mackerel, sand eel, squid, crab, and mussel. Power Sound: A dual Music Shop and Fishing Tackle Shop, Power Sound is hidden away behind Power’s Souvenir Shop in the centre of Arklow Town. Find a range of fishing equipment and live bait here. Owner Gerry will be able to give you local advice to help you net the best catches around Arklow! Address: 12a Main Street, Arklow, Co. Wicklow Phone 0402 33966. Social - https://www.facebook.com/PowerSoundMusicshopArklow/ Wild Ireland Arklow: On Upper Main Street, Wild Ireland stocks a wide range of accessories for the angler, as well as a huge variety of camping and outdoors equipment, clothing and goods. You’ll find a great variety of live bait to suit all fishing seasons and the proprietor is on hand to advise on your needs. Address : 1 Upper Main Street, Arklow, Co Wicklow 087 068 9268 Social https://www.facebook.com/Arklow.tel0870689268 Licenses: Anglers are legally required to be in possession of a licence when fishing for salmon or sea trout. Licences can be purchased from several sources, including fishing tackle shops, Inland Fisheries Ireland offices and some fisheries. No licence is needed for trout, pike and coarse fishing in the Republic of Ireland and sea fishing for marine sport fish does not require a licence. The retention of Bass for wating is covered by EU regulations. Two local clubs, the Aughrim Trout Anglers and the Rathdrum Trout Anglers control the Brown Trout fishing, and day tickets are available. More about Angling regulations and licences here: www.fishinginireland.info/regulations/

At the Bridge Hotel you will be warmly welcomed by the Hoey family. The Bridge Hotel is in a great central location just off Main Street, and has 15 cosy en-suite rooms, all with T.V. and Tea & coffee making facilities. The Lounge on the ground floor serves food and drinks all day, with breakfast available from 7.30am. In the evening, you might find some live music especially at the weekends, or tune into a live game on Sky Sports showing on two flat screen TVs. Free customer parking is available in the small carpark adjacent with more parking on Main Street. Open: Year Round Address: Bridge St Web: www.arklowbridgehotel.com Arklow, Email: info@arklowbridgehotel.com Co. Wicklow. Tel: 0402 31666

If you’re biking in Arklow and are in need of a repair, Back Lane Biking is a great option. Bike repair and service is available including restoration and bike building and general maintenance. Back Lane Biking also offers a pick-up service for your bike free of charge in the Arklow area and they will drop it back to your accommodation when it's done. Open: Daily 9am-5pm closed Saturdays Address: 55 Liam Mellows Ave, Email: Jonathanquinn1@hotmail.com Knockanrahan Lower, Phone: 083 8332644 Arklow, Co. Wicklow

The Royal Hotel on Arklow’s Main Street is an affordable and comfortable hotel ideal for the budget-conscious traveller. The 2-star property is home to Sally O'Brien’s Bar & Night Club and is a lively place great for social groups, hens, stags, and golfing groups. The Royal Hotel Arklow is a well-equipped hotel with 25 tastefully refurbished en-suite bedrooms. Enjoy a bite to eat in Sally’s Kitchen, featuring steaks, burgers, wings, and ribs with combo meals including a pint also available. Live music and nightclub on weekends with regular DJ slots. Parking is available along Main Street. Open: Year Round Address: 25 Main Street, Web: www.sallyobriens.ie Arklow, Tel: 0402 32524 Co. Wicklow.

Bridgewater Shopping Centre, sitting overlooking the River Avoca on Arklow’s North Quay, is the South East’s top shopping destination with more than 40 fantastic fashion and lifestyle stores. These include Dunnes Stores, Argos, Boots, GameStop, TK Maxx, Elvery’s Sports, SuperDrug, Carrick Donn, Newlook, River Island and many more stores which makes for a great days’ shopping. Relax after your shopping trip with a coffee or bite to eat in the recently refurbished food court which is home to O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar, Abrakebabra and The Bagel Factory, plus find Eddie Rockets as well as Costa Coffee and Starbuck also in the centre. There is a 9 screen Omniplex cinema which brings all the latest block buster movies to County Wicklow. The Arklow Maritime Museum is also located within the centre with separate entrance to the front of the building. There’s something for all the family at Bridgewater, and a great day out, located right in Arklow town - it’s the centre for all your fashion needs under one roof. Keep an eye on their social media for competitions and for free family fun activities taking place within the Centre. With a multi-story car park with direct access to the mall, you can park safely all day for just €2.00. Year Round – check website for individual store opening times. North Quay, Web: www.Bridgewatercentre.ie Arklow, Email: manager@bridgewatercentre.ie Co Wicklow. Phone: 0402 41060

“Grasp life by the handlebars”! Joe’s Bike Shop offers sales on new adults and children’s bikes, with a large range of Trek bikes on display, as well as go carts and trikes. Joe also offers a bike repair service with great personal service and advice. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 5.30pm Address: 87 Lower Main Street, Phone: 0402 31555 Arklow, Co Wicklow.

One of Wicklow’s most scenic forest walks is the Avonmore Way, a riverside, linear trail which begins just outside Rathdrum, 20km from Arklow. The Avonmore Way follows a mixture of minor road, forest road and track as it skirts around Trooperstown Hill and winds its way through the beautiful Clara Vale Nature Reserve, alongside the peaceful Avonmore River. The moderate route offers walkers pleasant picnic spots on its banks and magnificent views of the surrounding Wicklow Mountains and the spectacular mature oak woods of the Clara Vale Nature Reserve. The Avonmore Way offers a great connection from Rathdrum to Glendalough and the Wicklow Way. Parking: off the road at the trailhead. Grade: Moderate – 12km each way. Not suited to wheelchair users. Robust buggies will cope with this trail.

As Ireland’s Oldest Hotel established in 1610, with a long tradition of exceptional hospitality, The Woodenbridge Hotel and Lodge is known for its welcoming and friendly service. Located in the Vale of Avoca, with breath taking views all around, the Woodenbridge Hotel is the ideal relaxing getaway. The hotel has welcomed several famous guests over the years, including Eamon De Valera and his wife Sinead who honeymooned at the hotel – the Honeymoon Suite is now named after them. There are two different accommodation choices available - a traditional stay at the Woodenbridge Hotel with views across Woodenbridge Golf Course with some rooms having their own balconies, or a more modern stay at The Woodenbridge Lodge, in the valley alongside the Aughrim River. The hotel offers a first in class menu in the Goldmines Bistro serving food daily from 12.30-9pm, with many dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy live music in the Bistro every weekend. The brand-new outdoor dining option The Smokehouse is a great option for those long warm evenings. The Cocktails and Pimp My Gin station are a must, and the Bar Manager is known for his great cocktail making skills! The Smokehouse is closed during the Winter Months and reopen's in the Spring. The hotel also offers to coordinate Golf Break Packages to include Wicklow’s Top Golf courses, for your chosen number of nights. Plentiful free customer parking available onsite. Open: Year Round Address: Vale of Avoca, Web: https://www.woodenbridgehotel.com/ Arklow, Email: reservations@woodenbridgehotel.com Co. Wicklow. Phone: 0402 35146 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/woodenbridge_hotel_lodge/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/woodenbridgehl?lang=en

Asian Harvest is a popular Chinese and Thai Restaurant which has been serving locals and visitors to Arklow for over 10 years. The first-floor restaurant provides great views overlooking the historic 19th Arches Bridge and Avoca River. Asian Harvest Restaurant is open daily for dinner from 5pm and offers a special Two Course Sunday & Bank Holidays Lunch Menu in addition. A wide selection of A La Carte Menu options is available for evening dining. Take Away and delivery is also available. Book or order ahead by calling - 0402-22202. Parking is available along South Quay, Main Street or the Riverwalk. Open: 5pm to 10pm daily, Sunday and BH Monday 1pm to 4.30pm Address: 3-4 Bridge St, Web: https://asian-harvest-restaurant.business.site/ South Quay, Tel: 0402 22202 Arklow, Co. Wicklow.