Wicklow

united kingdom

Wicklow sits where the River Vartry meets the sea, 50 kilometers south of Dublin with Black Castle's Norman ruins watching over the harbour. The M11 gets you to Dublin in 50 minutes, while the train takes 90 minutes to Connolly station. Head inland on the R763 for 30 minutes to reach Glendalough's monastery and lakes, or take the Military Road for proper mountain driving through Wicklow Mountains National Park. The Historic Gaol displays leg irons from the prison ships that carried Irish convicts to Australia.