Things to Do

The Courthouse in Tinahely was built in 1843, but by the 1950’s it was used as much for community activities, such as dances and movies, as for court sessions.

It is now a beautiful heritage building and one of the main landmarks in the town.

The Courthouse is a multi-disciplinary non-profit arts centre, dedicated to artistic excellence and actively nurturing the creative and cultural life of this region.  It hosts a varied programme of arts and cultural events, including musical and theatre performances, visual arts exhibitions and installations, and arthouse and foreign cinema.

Click here to view the Arts Centre calendar of events.

The Tinahely Agricultural Show is a celebration of the richness of rural Ireland’s traditions, it’s people and their way of life.

It is a fantastic family day out with live entertainment for kids and adults and an endless list of competitions and displays.

There is a palpable festival atmosphere as you walk around the massive show grounds to the parade rings, the exhibit marquees and the entertainment sections.

Founded 84 years ago, the show is the second largest agricultural show in Ireland attracting over 20,000 visitors annually with over 200 trade stands. The event features the best of rural life with agricultural competitions, entertainment, crafts, novelty events, amusements, fashion and much more.

Key attractions include:
• Country music legends playing in 2022 – Michael English Music, Stacey Breen Music, Stuart Moyles and Theresa & the Stars
• Everyday wellness – accessible wellness information to people of all ages – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
• Livestock local, national and championship competitions
• Fashion Show
• Arts and Crafts
• Over 200 trade stands
• Farm to Fork – authentic local artisan food producers
• Pony Club games and show jumping
• Pet’s Corner
• Dog show
• Junior arts and crafts
• Fun Fair

So whether you want a fun filled family day out or want to showcase your products, company, crafts or livestock, join us for what promises to be another successful and unique event on August bank holiday Monday.

Only 400metres away, Tinahely Farm Shop is the ideal stop for the whole family. Facilities include a kids activity centre, an animal walkway, a coffee shop and a gift store.

Click here to view Tinahely Farm Shop’s website.

Open every Friday & Saturday from 10am-4pm, located in the middle of the village, opposite Murphy’s butchers.

Featuring a large variety of crafts, all hand made with sustainability in mind and all items are made locally.

Craft workshops are run regularly. Please check out their Facebook page for updates by clicking here.

Every Thursday from 10:30am- 1:30pm, an informal “Knit & Stitch” coffee morning is hosted. All welcome!

Horses play an important part in the life of the Tinahely community and that of the people in the surrounding countryside and villages. Everywhere you go in the area you will see horses and ponies grazing in the fields. There has been a continuity of involvement with horses amongst the local farming community for centuries and all the skills associated with producing a variety of thoroughbred, sports horses and ponies still survive to this day.

The Annual Wicklow County Show organised and run by the Tinahely Agricultural Show Society is held at Fairwood Park just a mile outside the village on August Bank Holiday Monday. The Show has always provided a wonderful showcase for horses bred and produced in the area and attracts a considerable number of entries from the surrounding counties. Many classes are qualifiers for National Competitions. Here you can see everything from brood mares, side saddle classes, draught classes, carriage driving, jumping, working hunter and show classes. For anyone who likes horses, it is the place to be on August Monday.

At Broomfield Equestrian Centre, just a short drive outside the village on the Tinahely/Knockananna Road, there are great opportunities to enjoy equestrian sport at any level. The centre caters for all standards of riders from beginners to advanced. With a large indoor school and even larger outdoor arena along with cross country courses and miles of trekking facilities, visitors and locals alike have the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful outdoor activity in a beautiful setting. For further information contact Pam Horan on 0402 38117 or 087 7513186.

Years of experience in breeding has meant that a variety of horses are produced very successfully in the Tinahely area. There are several established studs and these have produced a string of national hunt and flat race winners.

A young local trainer, Philip Rothwell, whose training yard and gallops are located a short distance from Tinahely, has already made a name for himself both at home and in Britain. He holds a licence to train for both National Hunt and flat racing but mainly specialises in the training for horses for jump racing both at home and abroad.

Hunting is also a big part of life in the area and the Shillelagh District Hunt has been active for well over 50 years attracting local support and visitors from around the country and abroad.  The hunt also holds several Point to Point races during the year and these are also very well attended.

The Riding Club Movement is also well represented with two riding clubs operating in the area – The Tinahely Riding Club in Coolboy and the Broomfield Riding Club in Mullans.

Based in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow, many people are interested in what Wicklow Way Wine do, want to taste their wines, and see how they make them! Prepare to be guided on a casual and unique tour of the winery – consider it an intro to winemaking, from their fabulous co-owner and winemaker, Brett. Following this, you will experience the beautiful flavours of the 3 Berry Wines, alongside Irish artisan cheeses and chocolates, overlooking the vats of wine. All for €25pp! 

Click here for more information and bookings. 

Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul. 

Glendalough is a glacial valley in County Wicklow, Ireland, renowned for an Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin. Glendalough is also a recreational area for picnics, for walking along networks of maintained trails of varying difficulty, and also for rock-climbing.

Visit www.glendalough.ie for more info.

Beyond the Trees Rooftop Walk is a new world class visitor destination in Ireland’s Ancient East that opened its doors in June 2022 following a €19 million redevelopment project by Coillte.

The longest Treetop Walk in Ireland & the UK, at 1.4km it brings visitors on an adventure through and above the trees, their journey culminating at the impressive Viewing Tower. Here the magnificent architectural tower standing 38m above the forest reveals panoramic 360-degree views over the Wicklow Mountains, the Avonmore River, and the Vale of Avoca. To complete this innovative experience, both adults and children can opt to continue their adventure and whizz their way back down the tower via the gigantic 90m spiral slide. Self-guided tours can be booked in advance online, www.beyondthetreesavondale.com

The Dying Cow is a hidden gem, situated just off the Wicklow Way walking track. Its one of the few remaining traditional Irish pubs in the country. Its a cosy pub with friendly people, great music and good craic! A traditional music session is held every two week.

Click here to visit there Facebook page for up to date news. 

Wicklow Mountains National Park is a 205-square-kilometre protected area in Ireland, one of six national parks in the country. The park stretches through County Wicklow as well as small areas of South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown in County Dublin.

www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/

“The Wicklow Way” is Ireland’s first waymarked trail, and due to its proximity to Dublin has remained one of the most popular walking routes in Ireland.
Tinahely lies directly on this magnificent waymarked trail, and provides the perfect base for exploring one of Ireland’s best-loved and most authentic paths.

Check out the website here:  www.wicklowway.ie

Set in the Wicklow Mountains, the Blessington Lakes cover 5000 acres water. The Lakes were formed 50 years ago by the building of the Poulaphouca Dam and hydroelectric station.

The Poulaphouca reservoir is the largest man made lake in Ireland and is a great base for various outdoor activities.

The road around the lake offers amazing views over the reservoir and the Wicklow Mountains.  Drive or Cycle around the lake going through historic villages such as Valleymount, Ballyknockan or Lacken.

Click here for information on the Blessington Greenway and local activites.

The highest mountain outside of Kerry at 925m high.

Powerscourt Estate, located in Enniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland, is a large country estate which is noted for its house and landscaped gardens, today occupying 19 hectares.