Wicklow stately home and grounds has been reimagined and now attracts visitors from all over Ireland
Avondale has been reimagined and now attracts visitors from around the world, as reporter David Medcalf discovered
Wicklow People
Today at 02:00
Coillte, the State forestry company, is responsible for a million acres and for hundreds of sites around Ireland, with a presence in practically every one of the 26 counties. Their open door policy means that they have at least 250 'recreational' forests. None of the other sites, however, is quite like Avondale in County Wicklow, which has become a light-hearted showcase for Irish forestry and Irish timber.
Not so long ago, the place was a handy venue for anyone in the Rathdrum area with a dog that needed walking, more a hidden gem than a national attraction. The big house, once the home of Charles Stewart Parnell, was off limits to the public while the forestry college was long since closed. This still left visitors with an enticing choice of routes to ramble around the splendidly wooded property. However, it was a low key operation as the 500 acre estate was run with a skeleton staff and it was far short of being a must-see item on any tourist agenda. Then the decision was taken to put Avondale on the visitor map in a big way.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
3 hours ago
- The Journal
'People's livelihoods at risk': Decision on opening of Skellig Michael to tourists due this week
A HIGH COURT judge will decide this week whether to lift a suspension on boating permits for ferries to and from the UNESCO heritage island Skellig Michael, saying the case requires top priority as 'people's livelihoods are at risk'. The permits have not been issued while legal proceedings are before the courts in the form of a judicial review of the tendering process. At the High Court today, Justice Garret Simons said he was 'staggered' by the assertion made by lawyers for the Office of Public Works (OPW) that it would need six months to prepare the case. He ordered it to be heard next month. Two companies, which were unsuccessful in their applications for the 2025 season, have made a judicial review application, resulting in a delay to the granting of permits. The season runs from May to the end of September. The OPW ran a competition in late 2024 to award 15 boating permits for summer 2025 serving the monastic island, which was chosen as a film location for the Star Wars movies, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. However, in April 2025, two unsuccessful participants in the competition brought High Court proceedings challenging the outcome. The OPW has said that under Irish and EU law, they were then precluded from issuing permits for the 2025 summer season until legal proceedings were resolved. Advertisement Skellig Michael Boat Trips and Atlantic Endeavour Limited both dispute the process underpinning the granting of the licences, alleging it to be 'deficient' and 'without transparency' and have been granted permission for the challenge. At the High Court today, David Dodd BL, for the plaintiffs, told Justice Simons that nobody wanted to prevent boats from visiting the island. He said permits could be granted by the court in an interim fashion, as the issuing of a one-season permit was not a 'contract', as contended by the OPW. He said his clients are happy for the suspension to be lifted. Justice Simons asked Andrew Beck SC, for the OPW, why it would take six months to prepare for what the judge described as 'the most straightforward case of competition for licences'. Beck said there was discovery of documents needed, amendments to make and a possible issue around cross-examination. Justice Simons said he was 'staggered' that the case would take up to six months to get on and that there were 'livelihoods' at stake. The judge said the court would give the case 'top priority', adding that the court had 'gone out of its way' to facilitate an early trial. Justice Simons said he would rule on Thursday of this week on whether to lift the suspension of the permits. He adjourned the substantive hearing of the judicial review to 21 July. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Skellig Michael delayed boat permits row to be decided this week
A High Court judge has given "top priority" for a case involving the granting of boat permits to ferry people to Skellig Michael. Mr Justice Garrett Simons will decide this week whether or not to lift a suspension on boating permits needed to bring tourists to and from the UNESCO heritage island Skellig Michael, saying "people's livelihoods are at stake". The permits have not been issued while legal proceedings are before the courts in the form of a judicial review of the tendering process. At the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Simons said he was "staggered" by the assertion made by lawyers for the Office of Public Works (OPW) claiming it would need six months to prepare the case and ordered it to be heard next month, giving it "top priority". The granting of permits to successful applicants was delayed as two companies who were unsuccessful in their applications for the 2025 season, which runs from May to the end of September, launched a legal challenge. The OPW ran a competition in late 2024 to award 15 boating permits for summer 2025 and serving the monastic island, which was chosen as a film location for the Star Wars movies The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. However, in April 2025, two unsuccessful participants in the competition brought High Court proceedings challenging the outcome of the competition. The OPW has said that under Irish and EU law, the OPW was then precluded from issuing permits for the 2025 summer season until legal proceedings were resolved. Skellig Michael Boat Trips and Atlantic Endeavour Limited both dispute the process underpinning the granting of the licences, alleging it to be "deficient" and "without transparency" and have been granted permission for the challenge. At the High Court, David Dodd, counsel for the plaintiffs, told Mr Justice Simons that nobody wanted the boats to not visit the island and that permits could be granted by the court in an interim fashion, as the issuing of a one-season permit was not a "contract", as contended by the OPW. Mr Dodd said he was resisting a suggested "five-year framework" on the OPW's granting of the permits as part of a contract but that the plaintiffs also wanted to see the boats out. Mr Dodd said the OPW, in applying to the court to have the suspension lifted, had referred to a "contract" having to be in place for the boats to take to sea. Mr Dodd said there should be no such "contract" and that permits issued were akin to planning permission or a gun permit being granted, neither or which, he claimed, were "contracts" nor necessitated frameworks. Mr Dodd said that a permit is a statutory permit without an offer or an acceptance as found in a contract. Whether or not this granting amounted to a "contract", was a matter for the full hearing of the substantive case, he said. "We are happy, however, for the suspension to be lifted," he said. Mr Justice Simons asked Andrew Beck, counsel for the OPW, how it was possible that the OPW was looking for six months to prepare the case in what the judge described as "the most straightforward case of competition for licences". Mr Beck said there was discovery of documents needed, amendments to make and a possible issue around cross examination. Mr Justice Simons said he was "staggered" that the case would take up to six months to get on and that there were "livelihoods" at stake. The judge said the court would give the case "top priority", adding the court had "gone out of its way" to facilitate an early trial. Mr Justice Simons said he would rule on Thursday of this week on whether or not he would lift the suspension of the permits and adjourned the substantive hearing of the judicial review to July 21.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Former RTE star opens up on whirlwind move to remote Irish island that ‘didn't quite go to plan'
FORMER Dancing With The Stars pro Emily Barker has opened up on her whirlwind move to a remote Irish island that "didn't quite go to plan". The professional dancer, 28, relocated from the Advertisement 3 Emily has shared an update on her move to Ireland Credit: Instagram 3 The pro dancer lived in Ireland for six years while on Dancing With The Stars Credit: Kyran O'Brien 3 She admitted their move 'didn't quite go to plan' Credit: Instagram Emily took to She began by explaining how their move "didn't quite go to plan" and said she now has a few things she "feels ready to share" with fans and friends. The 28-year-old, who announced her departure from The couple decided they "wanted to move" back to Ireland and had plans in place to settle in a "gorgeous little cottage" in Advertisement READ MORE ON EMILY BARKER They packed their "whole lives" into their car but two weeks before the move they received a job offer they "just couldn't refuse". Emily explained: "A contact we knew sent us an application knowing we were already moving to Ireland and it was for a couple to live and work on a remote island off the coast of Ireland… CRAZY I KNOW! "At first we ignored the message and decided to crack on with our plans for the move, but after a few days I convinced Olly that we should reply and see what it's all about. "We applied, filled out forms, were invited to an interview and on Boxing Day found out we GOT THE JOB!" Advertisement most read in the irish sun Exclusive On January 4, the pair got the ferry from Emily kept the location private but told how the "first few weeks were like no other". RTE star Donncha O'Callaghan shares adorable moment he and family celebrated Carl Mullan's Dancing With The Stars win Describing the area, she said: "Sunsets and sunrises from every angle, a private beach, all the freedom in the world and click and collect food shops to be collected from mainland every 3 weeks by boat." The choreographer admitted they faced some challenges including storm Eowyn, power cuts and the reality of being so remote. Advertisement However, she used the time away from She explained: "It was like lock down all over again, a time to stop and reflect on everything so far." After "three amazing months" living on the "incredible" island, they decided to move back to the UK, "for some time to debrief and collect our thoughts after the most crazy adventure of our lives". 'AMAZING' She added: "Who knows if we will ever move back to Ireland but for now I have the most incredible memories from a 3 month trip of a lifetime! Advertisement "My vision board for 2025 definitely didn't include feeding horses, patrolling around acres of land and driving Gators… but I'm so happy we did it! "Sorry for being so quiet and I will try my best moving forwards to keep updating about life, fitness and any crazy trips I take in the future!" Emily's fans and friends flocked to the comments to share their love and support. Courina said: "Wow! That sounds like the best experience ever! Fair play to you. Best of luck with the next plan." Advertisement Olwyn wrote: "Proud of you girl." Jill gushed: "This is AMAZING. What an adventure!"
