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The Michael Collins Drive - Wicklow

The Michael Collins drive covers 45 miles through lush valleys and picturesque villages. The drive will take you to some of the locations where the film was shot. You start the drive in Wicklow town at Fitzwilliam Square, where you will see the Halpin Memorial. Captain Robert C. Halpin commander of the Great Eastern from which the first Atlantic and other trans-oceanic cables were laid. Also in the town you can visit the Wicklow Historic Gaol. The Gaol was established in 1702 and remained in operation until its closure in 1924. The Gaol uses a unique combination of graphics, audio-visual material, interactive displays, reconstruction and actor interpreters who bring history vividly to life and involve visitors in the amazing stories of the turbulent times had in the Gaol. The County town is situated on the lower slopes of Ballyguile Hill and overlooks a wide bay fringed by a crescent curve of coast. The Michael Collins drive leaves Wicklow (R750) and brings you through the small villages of Rathnew (R752) and Glenealy before arriving into Rathdrum. Rathdrum is situated high on the western side of the beautiful Avonmore Valley. The Avonmore River flows through the Vale of Clara, and the Vale of Avoca is only a few km to the south. Why not stop off for a tea break or a bite to eat in one of the Inns situated along the main street or in the town square. Close to Rathdrum on the R752 is Avondale House and Forest Park. Avondale House is set in a magnificent forest park of over 500 acres and was the birthplace and home of Charles Stewart Parnell, one of the greatest political leaders of modern Irish history, and is now a museum to his memory.

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There is a children’s play area and designated picnic areas. Also close to Rathdrum is the Greenan Farm Museum and Maze. The Farm Museum has exhibits going back over 100 years; there is a bottle museum and an outdoor maze that was planted in 1988. Next the drive takes us along into the Meetings of the Waters (R752). This is the meeting point of the rivers Avonmore and Avonbeg. The famous poet Thomas Moore is said to have immortalised the spot by writing the words of the Irish melody, The Meeting of the Waters. Then the drive takes you into the village of Avoca, which is the home of the hit television series Ballykissangel. Avoca is also famous for its mining history. While in Avoca why not pop into the Avoca Handweavers for a tour of the mill or a snack in their restaurant and coffee shop. The old courthouse provides an information sheet on the mining walks in the area. The drive continues through Woodenbridge, past the Woodenbridge Hotel, which is said to be one of the oldest coaching inns in the country, and into Arklow. Arklow is a lively shipping town in the southeast corner of County Wicklow, and was once one of the busiest ports in Ireland. Today Arklow is home to the Maritime Museum and Wicklow Vale Emporium along with a wide variety of shops and eateries. The Drive leaves Arklow and heads into the village of Redcross and then back over to the coast into Brittas Bay. Brittas Bay is a long golden beach between Arklow and Wicklow. It is a blue flag awarded beach, which ensures cleanliness and safe water. It is ideal for walking, swimming or sunbathing. The drive now starts to come to a close by heading north from Brittas Bay back into Wicklow Town, where you will pass Wicklow Head and the old Lighthouse that stands on top of the headland.

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