Things To Do
The village of Tinahely in county Wicklow offers a wide variety of things to see and do, including beautiful walks in the surrounding countryside, a vibrant arts centre presenting a host of live events and art exhibitions all year round, horse-riding, golf and a local library.
County Wicklow is located just south of Dublin traditionally known as “The Garden of Ireland”. Wicklow displays a scenic beauty that justifies this name. Archaeological and historical remains are in their abundance, particularly in West Wicklow. But there is far more to Wicklow than its magnificent scenery. There are 20 golf courses, many angling facilities, mountaineering and hillwalking. Walkers have said they could seek no better terrain, traditional Irish Pubs, music and crafts.
- Beyond the Trees Rooftop Walk, Avondale
- Tinahely Past & Present Audio Tour
- Elvis Presley Audio Tour
- The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely
- The Annual Tinahely Agriculture Show (August Bank Holiday Monday)
- Glendalough Monastic City & Upper Lake Walk (40mins drive)
- Tinahely Farm Shop
- The Dying Cow Pub (7mins drive)
- Wicklow National Park
- The Wicklow Way
- Tir Na Glass, Historical Guided Walking Tour (30min drive)
- Blessington Lakes Greenway (45mins drive)
- Lugnaquilla (30mins Drive)
- Powerscourt House, Gardens & Waterfall (1hr drive)
- Rathwood Home & Garden Centre
- Nearby Beaches
- Equestrian Centres
- Wicklow Way Wine Tour & Tastings
- Landscape Photography Workshops
- Tinahely Craft Market
- More Things To Do
- Getting Around
Beyond the Trees Rooftop Walk, Avondale
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
Tinahely Past & Present Audio Tour
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Tinahely with our captivating "Past & Present" audio walking tour. Discover the vibrant tales of our village as you embark on a journey through time. Simply scan the QR code located outside the building, and let our tour guides transport you to bygone eras. Explore the remnants of ancient landmarks and learn about the lives of the remarkable individuals who shaped Tinahely's heritage. Unearth fascinating anecdotes about the local community and witness the transformation of this charming village. With the Tinahely Past & Present audio walking tour, you'll gain a deep appreciation for the layered tapestry of our past and the vibrant spirit that continues to thrive today.
Spoken & composed by Anthony Murphy & Pat Dixon.
Elvis Presley Audio Tour
An 18th century legal document shows the music legend Elvis Presley's ancestors left County Wicklow, for a new life in America around 1775.
Presley's ancestors are buried in the nearby Old Kilquiggin Graveyard. Follow the below QR code to find their resting places. Free audio tour available at the graveyard.
The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely
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.
The Annual Tinahely Agriculture Show (August Bank Holiday Monday)
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.
Glendalough Monastic City & Upper Lake Walk (40mins drive)
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.
Tinahely Farm Shop
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.
The Dying Cow Pub (7mins drive)
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.
Wicklow National Park
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.
The Wicklow Way
“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
Tir Na Glass, Historical Guided Walking Tour (30min drive)
Book a guided walking tour on Kilranelagh Hill to discover the extraordinary and mysterious megalithic monuments of West Wicklow. Visit the stone circle, ringfort, ancient graveyard, or even a hidden cairn. This tour will take you on a journey through history as you explore the ancient sites and hear the old folk tales. You’ll be amazed by the breathtaking views and the rich cultural heritage of this beautiful location. 5000 years ago stone age communities constructed intriguing megalithic monuments. The area of Baltinglas and surrounds is the most populated area in the whole of Western Europe for megalithic sites. These sites on Kilranelagh hill are hidden gems, untouched and wild, not to be missed.
See website for further information: tirnaglass.com
Blessington Lakes Greenway (45mins drive)
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.
Lugnaquilla (30mins Drive)
The highest mountain outside of Kerry at 925m high.
Powerscourt House, Gardens & Waterfall (1hr drive)
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.
Rathwood Home & Garden Centre
Rathwood Garden Centre is a popular destination located in Tullow, a short 20 minute drive from Madelines. It is renowned for its beautiful gardens, wide selection of plants, and a range of enjoyable activities for visitors of all ages.
To complement the garden center experience, Rathwood offers a delightful café and restaurant. Visitors can enjoy a delicious meal or indulge in a cup of coffee and freshly baked treats while surrounded by the beauty of the gardens. The café and restaurant often incorporate seasonal and locally sourced ingredients in their menu, providing a delightful dining experience.
Rathwood Garden Centre is particularly popular among families due to its range of family-friendly activities. They offer a charming train ride through the woods, where children can meet characters from popular stories. They also organize seasonal events and activities such as Easter egg hunts, Christmas experiences, and pumpkin picking during Halloween, creating memorable moments for the whole family.
The Big Top at Rathwood is home to a number of events and shows to include country musicians, magical shows and circus acts to name but a few. For more information please visit www.rathwood.com.
Nearby Beaches
When staying in Madelines, you'll have the perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful beaches of Wicklow and Wexford. Wicklow boasts a stunning coastline, with gems like Brittas Bay and Silver Strand. These sandy havens provide a peaceful retreat, ideal for long walks, picnics, and sunbathing. Moving on to Wexford, you'll discover an array of breathtaking beaches, such as Curracloe and Courtown. Curracloe Beach is famous for its golden sand and dunes, while Courtown offers a vibrant seaside atmosphere with amusements and a lively promenade. Whether you're seeking tranquillity or adventure, the beaches in Wicklow and Wexford, promise an unforgettable coastal experience.
If you take a trip to Courtown, be sure to visit Seal Rescue Ireland, a wonderful organisation dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured seals along the coast of Ireland. Visitors to Seal Rescue can learn about these fascinating creatures, witness the rehabilitation process, and even see the seals up close. If you're very lucky, you might get to see some seals being released back into the ocean.
See website for further information: www.sealrescueireland.org
Equestrian Centres
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.
Wicklow Way Wine Tour & Tastings
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!
Landscape Photography Workshops
Further Details:
- Workshops commencing form the 4th July. Monday & Tuesday workshops only.
- €240 per person, includes 1.5 day workshop, overnight accommodation & breakfast.
- Workshop begins at 10am on the Monday morning and attendees must meet outside Madelines Accommodation.
- One nights accommodation provided on the Monday night in Madelines Accommodation, Tinahely. A beautiful guesthouse located in the heart of the village with local restaurants, pubs, cafe and shops all within walking distance. Each private room has its own ensuite, TV, tea & coffee making facilities, towels & toiletries provided too.
- Breakfast is included at the nearby cafe, D’lish. Packed lunch & snacks are recommended and these can be purchased in D’lish or the local shops.
- A maximum number of 4 attendees per workshop.
- Transport to various locations during workshops is provided.
- Free street parking is provided to the front of Madelines Accommodation.
Two Day Itinery:
- Day 1: Meet for 10am at Madelines Accommodation. Transport via car is provided for the photography workshop locations.
From Tinahely we shall travel to Glendalough and begin with and walking the Spinc. Visits to the popular Ballinatoe Woods, Lough Tay, The Wicklow Gap & Glenmalure.
Break for lunch at Glendalough.
Attendees will be dropped back to Tinahely for overnight stay at Madelines Accommodation. There are plenty of food options for an evening meal, with O’Connors Bar & Restaurant and Murphys Hotel both within stepping distance of your accommodation.
Depending on weather conditions, we can arrange to do a sunset shoot. This can be decided on the day with the attendees. - Day 2: Check out of Madelines Accommodation, followed by breakfast in D’lish Cafe, Tinahely. Collected from D’lish at 10.15am and transported to Tomnafinnogue Woods, Tinahely, only a few minutes away. This woods is world renowned as one of the last remaining oak woods. Workshop ends at 12:45pm where attendees are dropped back to the village.
Post-workshop, a personalised video will be made available to attendees on the editing process.
Any questions after the workshop are also welcome.
Attendees Checklist/Requirements:
- Digital (DSLR) camera & tripod.
- Basic photography knowledge recommended by not essential.
- Download Adobe Lightroom for photo editing purposes. Photoshop is also recommended but not essential.
- Hiking boots & waterproofs.
- Bug spray & sunscreen is strongly advised.
- Lunch, snacks & plenty of water.
Tinahely Craft Market
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!
More things to do:
- Canoeing & Kayaking with “Pure Adventure” (55mins drive)
- Castlecomer Discovery Park (1hr drive)
- Tick Tock Activity Farm (up to 10 years of age) (25mins drive)
- Greenan Farm Museum and Maze (25mins drive)
- Woodenbridge Golf Club (20mins drive)
- Avoca Mines (30mins drive)
- Avondale House (30mins drive)
- Mill at Avoca Village (25mins drive)
- Clara Lara Funpark (35mins drive)
For more information on local attractions, please visit https://visitwicklow.ie/attractions-in-wicklow
Getting around:
- Dublin Airport DUB (1hr 30mins drive)
- Rathdrum Train Station (30mins drive)
- Arklow Train Station (30mins drive) Click here for the local link bus timetable from Arklow station to Tinahely.
- Wicklow Train Station (45mins drive)
Contact
Address
Madelines Accommodation,
Dwyer Square, Tinahely,
Co. Wicklow, Y14 P732
Phone
+353 86 440 3849
