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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Raining in Wicklow? Here are the best indoor activities for a rainy day
From multi-activity entertainment centres to plush spas, historic estate homes and unique museums, here's our list of nine free, budget and indulgent things to do in Wicklow on a rainy day, whether you're flying solo, in a group or with the kids. Things to do for free Solo: For the art lovers out there, there are lots of local galleries that can be perused at your lesiure, including The Corner Studio in Enniskerry, The Boat Yard Gallery at Greystones Harbour, The Sheds Gallery in Arklow and Kilmantin Art Gallery in the heart of Wicklow town. The Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely hosts regular exhibitions that are free for the public to peruse. Equally, the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray holds an array of free exhibitions, talks, and workshops. Visit or for a full list of free events. With friends or family: The birthplace of Avoca, the Avoca Village store is home to a weaving mill, a retail store and Avoca cafe, with visitors able to enjoy guided mill tours, learn about its rich history and heritage, and see skilled weavers at work. There is usually a cost for tours, but limited complimentary tours can be found at tourist offices. With the kids: Renowned for having some of the best facilities and services in the country, Wicklow libraries facilitate a range of free activities and events for children of all ages. Hosting everything from story times and arts and crafts workshops to chess clubs, bingo, movie afternoons, camps and toddler play sessions, libraries dotted across the Garden County always have a jam-packed schedule of events. Check out the Wicklow County Library Service Facebook page for upcoming events. What to do on a budget With friends or family Assemble your loved ones and escape the downpour by catching up on the latest flicks at the Omniplex Cinema Arklow – the Garden County's only dedicated cinema. Showing brand new movies and classic re-releases, the nine-screen multiplex has a cutting-edge 'Maxx' screen and features 3D performances, assigned seating and wheelchair accessibility. If you're looking to broaden your cinematic horizons, the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray hosts regular screenings of documentaries and independent and international films that cater to young children and seasoned cinephiles alike. With the kids: Let the kids bowl away the rainy day blues at two Wicklow entertainment centres teeming with activities for all ages. There's ten-pin bowling across 12 bowling lanes at the Bray Bowl, which also boasts indoor amusements, snooker and pool tables, VR simulators and 30-gun Quasar, with the Lane 13 Café & Pizzeria serving pizzas, toasties, barista coffee, ice cream and lots of options for birthday parties. Equally stacked with entertainment, Diamond Bowl and Kidzone between Wicklow town and Rathnew has eight ten-pin bowling lanes, a 20 gun laser tag arena, a soft play centre, two axe throwing lanes a five lane airsoft shooting range and a 'make a bear' experience at Bear Cottage, with sweet treats to full meals available at the diamond room Alternatively, you can go for a dip at one of Wicklow's four indoor swimming pools, at Shoreline Leisure in Bray and Greystones, and the Coral Leisure Centres in Wicklow town and Arklow. Solo: There is a plethora of historic estates and museums dotted around the Garden that have a minimal entry fee for tours or admittance. Killruddery House near Bray, the Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Avondale House and Russborough House in Blessington offer guided tours with cafés and dining options on site. Wicklow Gaol offers visitors a journey through the original prison building, while telling the stories of the men, women and children imprisoned there under British rule over two centuries of turbulent history, while the Arklow Heritage Museum features a massive collection of artefacts from the Biking towns's rich history. For something truly unique, check out the Coolakay Agricultural Museum, which features farming implements and machinery that highlight the evolution of farming from the early 1700s to the present day. Where to splurge With family and friends: Step back in time and immerse yourself in the ultimate Victorian afternoon tea experience at Victorian Tea Times in Arklow, where guests don flouncing Victorian ensembles and enjoy fabulous food surrounded by rich embossed wallpapered walls, plush velvet couches, ornate candelabras and other wonderful assembled reminders of times past. The beautifully appointed room boasts tables dressed in immaculate crisp linen tablecloths. glistening silver tea pots, three tiered luncheon servers, fine hand painted china and bone handled butter knives. Dainty sandwiches with mouth-watering fillings, freshly baked buttermilk scones with rich cream and jam and pretty little pastries and delicacies made in-house with lashings of tea combine to serve up an evocative and captivating experience. Two-hour bookings cost €40 per person, and guest must be over the age of 13. With the kids: If you want to give your teenager a day out to remember, Special Ops Adventures, just outside Roundwood is one of Wicklow's top attractions and the ultimate place for an action packed airsoft adventure. Located in a forested area, operators say that you can rarely tell if it is even raining when playing, while their base camp area is fully covered, meaning no matter the weather, you can be assured of a fun-filled experience. You can grab a slice or two afterwards at nearby pizza restaurants, including Platform Pizza Bar Bray and Enso Pizza and Base Wood Fired Pizza in Greystones. Solo: If you want to look and feel your best, and price isn't an issue, Rainforest Spa is a multi-award-winning, cliff-side self-care space in Enniskerry on the grounds of The Summerhill Country House Hotel Winner of Ireland's Best Day Spa 2025, 2024 and 2021, as well as 'Wellness Centre of the Year Ireland 2023', the spa offers a ' The Treat for You' package for €115/135 that includes a glass of bubbly, a 'Cocoon' body treatment and your choice of foot massage, Gua Sha, and eye brightening. Go all-in for €185 with the 'Bliss' package, which comprises a 90-minute full body massage and a classic facial or a premium facial with a back massage, and one of three mini treatments - a foot massage, Indian head massage or collagen eye treatment.
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
Contemporary Bray four-bed adjacent to Killruddery Demesne for €1.45m
Address : Iona House, Giltspur Lane, Bray, Co Wicklow Price : €1,450,000 Agent : Sherry FitzGerald View this property on With the backdrop of both mountains and the sea, coupled with a buzzing Victorian promenade, the seaside town of Bray in Co Wicklow provides all manner of activities, with everything from golf and sailing to tennis, fishing and horse riding. The town, popular with commuters due to its proximity to Dublin, has stunning coastal walks and a strong sense of local community. Wicklow's northernmost town figured as one of Time Out magazine's most under-rated tourist destinations in 2023 and 2024. It has been described as Ireland's Brighton, and has its own jazz festival, renowned air display and, for cultural outings, the Mermaid Arts Centre hosts a packed programme of annual events. House prices in Bray are generally lower than in south Co Dublin, making the seaside town an attractive alternative for those who may be priced out of more expensive Dublin suburbs. Sherry FitzGerald has recently launched Iona House to the market, which lies in a private lane, adjacent to the 800-acre estate of Killruddery Demesne, about 2.5km from Bray town centre. READ MORE Do not be fooled by external images of this A1-rated house. Though it may look like a conservatively sized contemporary home, it extends to a considerable 303sq m (3,261sq ft). Hall Kitchen A well appointed pantry serves the streamlined kitchen Living space off the kitchen Formal livingroom The property was designed by architect Anthony Murphy for its construction company owner, who wanted 'a bright, airy home with lots of family space'. Constrained by planning 'to keep within the ridge height on the lane' Murphy added a mono-pitched roof, and 'he'd go to the site in the evenings to see exactly where the evening sun was setting', according to its owner. It is built into a hill, and is quite the achievement given the constraints of the site. The design saw bedrooms placed at the lower level to ensure reception rooms got the bulk of the light. A partially glazed floor in the front hallway brings light into the downstairs areas, and numerous well-thought-out terraces add to its overall design. In contrast to the Victorian origins of its location, modern elements such as an air-to-water heat pump, triple-glazed windows and lots of insulation give this property the highest energy rating possible. The house is at the end of a private lane, inside a neat gravelled driveway with ample off-street parking and an electric charging point. The triple-aspect kitchen shares its space with a dining and living area and has a large island and customised cabinetry – echoed in the utility – and features Quooker taps, a wine cooler and a large freezer. A second, more formal livingroom lies off the hallway, as does a loo, a smart bootroom and a room currently used as a study that would also work as a fifth bedroom. Concrete flooring separates living and sleeping spaces, so there's no creaking or squeaking. Underfloor heating runs throughout, keeping the house at a constant ambient temperature. But it will be the main bedroom that will make new owners swoon. Laid out as a suite, along with the bedroom, en suite and swanky walk-in wardrobe, it occupies some 60sq m. Adding to this is a steam room/shower, which has seating and an illuminated curved roof – so drips don't fall on your head – while using the steam facility. From a terrace off this bedroom there's a sauna and hot tub, used frequently by owners, whatever the weather. Main bedroom Dressing room Shower/steam room in the main bedroom en-suite A sauna lies on a terrace off the main bedroom The property has a number of terraces Customised cabinetry, Villeroy & Boch bathrooms, a home gym and landscaped terraces with glass balustrades – laid out for specific uses at different times of the day – are just some of the outstanding features in the property. It is also geared towards entertaining, and the house has hosted parties for upwards of 40 guests. Owners had the intention of spending more time at their home, which was completed in 2022, but are moving for family reasons. They have placed their walk-in, well-designed home on the market through Sherry FitzGerald, seeking €1.45 million.
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wicklow music teacher and Eurosong finalist to return home on debut album tour
Launched at the Mermaid Arts Centre in January, the album is a heartfelt collection of songs that span themes of love, loss, and life-changing events, showcasing former Eurosong finalist Naoimh's dynamic range as a vocalist and songwriter, with musical arrangements that blend elements of theatre, country, rock, and classical influences. Charting a musical journey that has seen her perform at the Cork Opera House, the National Concert Hall, on RTE, BBC, in musical theatre, and become a music teacher in Loreto Abbey Dalkey, No Fury is an eclectic mix of genres and styles that perfectly mirror the varied experiences that have shaped Naoimh's life and music. Alongside performances at Whelan's (June 29) in Dublin, Wexford Arts Centre (July 18), the Civic Studio Theatre in Tallaght (August 16), Naoimh will return home to Arklow for an intimate concert at Studio 55 in the Bridgewater Shopping Centre on July 12 at 8.30 pm. Giddy with anticipation ahead of her homecoming, Naoimh said: 'It's the most panoramic location in the town, the views are spectacular and it's home to my friend Martina Lynch, director of the Studio 55 Dance Academy.' A limited number of tickets are available for Naoimh's Studio 55 gig via Once sold out, no tickets will be available at the door on the night.
