Wicklow Way

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The Wicklow Way
(Slí Cualann Nua)
White Hill (630 m (2,067 ft))[3]
Lowest pointClonegal (60 m (197 ft))[4]
DifficultyStrenuous[2]
SeasonAny
SightsWicklow Mountains
Glendalough
SurfaceForestry tracks, roads, boreens and mountain paths[2]
Websitewww.irishtrails.ie
Map overview

The Wicklow Way (

Irish Sports Council and is waymarked by posts with a yellow "walking man" symbol and a directional arrow. Typically completed in 5–7 days, it is one of the busiest of Ireland's National Waymarked Trails, with up to 24,000 people a year walking the most popular sections. The Way is also used regularly by a number of mountain running
competitions.

The trail follows

broadleaf and coniferous woodland, heath and blanket bog while in the lowland sections the hedgerows marking the boundaries between fields support a variety of wildlife. The Way also passes the Monastic City at Glendalough, founded in the 6th century by Saint Kevin
.

The Wicklow Way was originally proposed by

European walking route E8 which stretches from the Atlantic coast of County Cork to Istanbul in Turkey. A memorial to J. B. Malone, who died in 1989, was erected on the Wicklow Way, near Lough Tay
, in honour of his contribution.

The provision of and access to the routes through the countryside used by the Wicklow Way is dependent on agreement with local authorities and landowners. Accordingly the route has been criticised for excessive use of routes through forestry plantations and roads. Proposals to address these issues were put forward in a review of the National Waymarked Trails published in 2010.

History

Marlay Park
Clonegal
Trailheads of the Wicklow Way

The concept of a long-distance trail through County Wicklow was first published by

Dublin 24, and ending at Stepaside, County Dublin, as follows: Bohernabreena to Baltyboys (near Valleymount), via Athdown;[9] Baltyboys to Ballinclea (near Donard), via Hollywood;[10] Ballinclea to Aghavannagh, via Lugnaquilla summit;[11] a rest day at Aghavannagh;[12] Aghavannagh to Tinahely;[13] a circular day route beginning and ending in Tinahely, via Shillelagh;[14] Tinahely to Avoca;[15] Avoca to Glenmalure, via Greenan;[16] Glenmalure to Glendalough;[17] a rest day at Glendalough;[18] Glendalough to Knockree;[19] and Knockree to Stepaside.[20]

In 1977, Malone was appointed by

National Sports Council, where Malone, acting as Field Officer, set about developing a scheme for a "Wicklow Way" along the lines of what he had proposed twelve years earlier.[22] The Irish Government's decision to develop a series of walking routes was prompted in response to the development of the Ulster Way in Northern Ireland in the 1970s.[23] Malone's original concept of a circular route returning to Dublin via West Wicklow was dropped in favour of the linear path between Marlay Park and Clonegal that exists today, mainly because the Government wanted the Wicklow Way to form part of national network of trails to cover Ireland.[4] Issues regarding access were another reason.[8] Nevertheless, the route remains substantially as planned in 1966.[4] In developing the route, the LDWRC made use of many existing paths, tracks and forest roads but, having no compulsory powers to include any of these, the provision of and access to such routes was, and continues to be, achieved by agreement with local authorities and landowners.[24]

"Walking man" waymarker on the Wicklow Way

The first section of the Way – from Marlay Park to Luggala – was opened by Jim Tunney, Minister of State at the Department of Education, on 15 August 1980.[25] The second section – from Luggala to Moyne[26] – was opened by Michael Keating, Minister of State at the Department of Education, on 27 September 1981.[27] The final stretch as far as Clonegal was completed in 1982.[5] The Irish name of the Wicklow Way – Slí Cualann Nua – is not a literal translation but means "New Cuala Way", a reference to the Slí Cualann, one of five ancient routes that radiated from the Hill of Tara that ran through the land of Cuala (modern-day Wicklow).[28]

The route of the Wicklow Way has been altered on a number of occasions since opening in 1980, generally as a result of problems with erosion or difficulties with rights of way.[29] For instance, concerns about erosion led to the Way being diverted away from Fairy Castle, the summit of Two Rock mountain.[30] Similarly, the Way was also diverted away from the summit of Mullacor,[31] which at 657 metres (2,156 feet) was the highest point on the Way before the trail was rerouted.[32] In 1999, the Way was diverted away from the village of Laragh on foot of an objection by a local landowner, to the chagrin of businesses in the village dependent on the custom of walking tourists.[33] A number of information boards and stone landmarks were erected in 2006 to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Way.[5] The state-owned forestry company Coillte has in recent years worked with a number of tourism and voluntary bodies to upgrade sections of the Way that run through its lands.[34] Today, the Wicklow Way is managed by the Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Committee.[35]

The Wicklow Way was the second waymarked way to be opened in

Irish Sports Council)[37] went on to develop many more long distance walking routes, the intention at the time being to develop a walking route around Ireland.[24] There are now more than forty National Waymarked Trails,[38] comprising over 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) of trails in Ireland.[39]

Usage and criticism

The Wicklow Way has been criticised for its monotonous forest paths

On account of being the first to be developed in Ireland and also on account of its proximity to Dublin, the Wicklow Way is one of the most popular of Ireland's National Waymarked Trails.[29] It has, however, been subject to some criticisms. Since access to lands along the Way is on a permissive basis, much of the walk (41 km (25 mi)) is on tarred country roads, is highly dependent on access provided by the state, (57 km (35 mi) is on land owned by Coillte and 16 km (10 mi) is on land owned by the Wicklow Mountains National Park) and covers a relatively small amount of private land (13 km (8 mi)).[40] Most of the road walking is confined to the southernmost section of the Way, between Tinahely and Clonegal, where some 63% of the route is on roads.[41] Research by the Wicklow Uplands Council showed that while up to 24,000 people a year walk along the busiest sections, this number falls to under 2,500 a year on the stretches south of Glenmalure.[23]

The extensive use of forest roads through

motorway median".[44]

A review of the National Waymarked Trails in Ireland by the National Trails Office in 2010 acknowledged these shortcomings and recommended that the Wicklow Way be selected as one of fourteen trails to be upgraded to a National Long Distance Trail.[45] This is a proposed new standard of trail in Ireland, intended to meet international standards for outstanding trails.[46] It would require sections on unsuitable roads to comprise less than 10% of the total trail and for appropriate support services – accommodation, meals, transport, luggage transfer etc. – to be available.[47] The review also recommended the development of shorter looped walks off the Wicklow Way and improving parking facilities.[45]

Route

The Wicklow Way is waymarked in both directions and can be started at Marlay Park or Clonegal. The trail is marked with square black posts with an image, in yellow, of a walking man and a directional arrow.

waymarking symbol for all of the National Waymarked Trails in Ireland.[39] Brown fingerposts are used on sections that follow roads.[49] The Way is typically completed in five to seven days.[50]

Marlay Park to Knockree

The Wicklow Way at Curtlestown where it enters Glencree valley

If travelling in a North-South direction, the Wicklow Way begins in

R116 road to the hamlet of Boranaraltry.[59] The road is flanked by hedgerow-bordered farmland.[60] Ascending from Boranaraltry, the trail crests the shoulder of Prince William's Seat, at which point the Way leaves County Dublin and enters County Wicklow.[57] The habitat here alternates between blanket bog and upland heath.[61] The trail descends to the floor of the Glencree valley via Curtlestown Wood where it then enters Lackan Wood and crosses the shoulder of Knockree Hill.[62]

Knockree to Oldbridge

Powerscourt Deerpark and Waterfall with Djouce mountain in the distance as seen from Ride Rock along the Wicklow Way

From Knockree on to Clonegal, much of the Way follows the contact point between the

River Avonmore near Lough Dan.[74]

Oldbridge to Glendalough

The Wicklow Way passes the ancient Monastic City at Glendalough

Leaving Oldbridge, the Way follows the road for approximately 4 kilometres (2 miles) before turning onto a boreen.

visitor centre.[85] Crossing the Glendasan River, it passes the remains of the Monastic City,[86] founded in the 6th century by Saint Kevin.[87]

Glendalough to Iron Bridge

Lugnaquilla, Wicklow's highest mountain, seen as the Wicklow Way descends into Glenmalure

Most of this stretch of the trail is on forest roads.

Carrickashane Mountain before reaching the road at Iron Bridge where the Way crosses the Ow River.[98] Another Adirondack shelter, again constructed by Mountain Meitheal volunteers with assistance from the Glenwalk Hillwalking Club, can be found at Mucklagh, on the slopes of Carrickashane Mountain.[99]

Iron Bridge to Derry River

The character of the Wicklow Way changes from high mountains to low rolling hills in the southern sections

After Iron Bridge, the character of the Way changes with the steeper hills of the earlier sections giving way to a gentler gradient that meanders between low hills.[54] These latter sections also contain a great deal of road walking as the Way crosses farmland via minor roads and boreens.[100]

Hedgerows of hawthorn and blackthorn, which form the boundaries between the fields, are the principal habitat in these cultivated areas.[101] They support many species of wild flowers, insects and birds, including dog rose, purple foxglove and wild violet as well as wrens, blackbirds and song thrushes.[101]

The Way ascends through a gap between Ballygobban and Shielstown Hills, yielding views stretching from Lugnaquilla to

R747 road close to Tinahely.[107]

Derry River to Clonegal

The "Dying Cow" pub at Stranakelly Crossroads

The trail follows an ancient cattle droving path around Muskeagh Hill before joining a series of country roads.

windfarm,[112] and passing near the village of Kilquiggan, the Way crosses the R725 road near Shillelagh.[111] The trail enters forestry at Raheenakit before joining an old drovers' road, once used to herd sheep to market in Shillelagh.[113] The Blackstairs Mountains, whose main peak, Mount Leinster, is distinguished by the television mast on its summit, begin to dominate the horizon.[114] The trail meanders along forestry tracks around Moylisha and Urelands Hills.[115] Urelands Hill is littered with hornblende-rich schist, a legacy of a chain of long-extinct volcanic islands that existed 450–500 million years ago when this part of Ireland lay under the primeval Iapetus Ocean.[116] Joining the road for the final stretch into Clonegal, the Way leaves County Wicklow and enters County Carlow at Wicklow Bridge, about 3 kilometres (2 miles) from the end.[117] The Wicklow Way ends in the village green of Clonegal where a stone bench and a map board, displaying the entire route from Marlay Park, may be found.[115]

Intersecting and connecting paths

The halfway point of the Wicklow Way at the entrance to Drumgoff Forest, Glenmalure

The Wicklow Way forms part of

European walking route E8 which runs from Dursey Island in County Cork to Istanbul in Turkey. The Irish section incorporates the Wicklow Way, the South Leinster Way, the East Munster Way, the Blackwater Way and parts of the Kerry Way and the Beara Way. There is an unmarked link route from Dublin Port (where the E8 connects to Liverpool by ferry) which follows the River Dodder to Rathfarnham and on to the Wicklow Way trailhead at Marlay Park via Saint Enda's Park. Similarly, an unmarked road walk connects Clonegal with the trailhead of the South Leinster Way in Kildavin, County Carlow.[118]

The Wicklow Way also shares part of its route with the Dublin Mountains Way along a section of the ridge between Two Rock and Tibradden.[119] The Saint Kevin's Way Pilgrim Path starts at either Hollywood or Valleymount, County Wicklow and ends at Glendalough where it connects with the Wicklow Way.[120]

Sections of the Wicklow Way are also used by several National Looped Walks: the Maulin Mountain Loop[121] and the Ballycumber,[122] Kyle,[123] and Mangan's[124] Loops near Tinahely.

Sporting events

Mullacor Hut, an Adirondack shelter constructed by volunteer group Mountain Meitheal on the Wicklow Way in Glenmalure
See also: Fell running and Ultramarathon

A number of mountain running events are held along the route of the Way. The Wicklow Way Relay is an event run between Kilmashogue and Shillelagh for teams of 2 to 8 runners.[125] The Wicklow Way Ultra (aka Maurice Mullins Ultra) is a 51-kilometre (32-mile) individual event run between Glencullen and Ballinastoe Woods.[126] The record for running the entire distance of the Wicklow Way from Marlay Park to Clonegal is held by Robbie Britton who completed the route on 8 June 2019 in a time of 12:11:07. The ladies record was set in the same event by Aoife Mundow in 16:06:30 .[127]

Public transport

The trailhead at Marlay Park is served by a number of Dublin Bus routes.[128] There is no public transport available to or from the trailhead in Clonegal, with the closest bus routes serving the nearby villages of Kildavin and Bunclody, County Carlow.[129] Some places on or near the route are also served by bus. The St. Kevins (sic) Bus Service stops at Roundwood, Laragh and Glendalough.[130] The Wicklow Way Bus provides services to Laragh, Glendalough, Glenmalure, Iron Bridge and Tinahely.[131]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ "Glendalough, things to do – Hiking/Walking". Glendalough Official Website. IE: glendalough.ie. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Wicklow Way". IrishTrails. IE: Irish Sports Council. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  3. ^ a b Fewer 1998, p. 5.
  4. ^ a b c d Malone 1993, p. 13.
  5. ^ a b c Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 61.
  6. ^ The Wicklow Way Templeogue Telegraph, p. 17. March 1981. Quote: "The opening of the first stage of the WICKLOW WAY last summer...."
  7. ^ Ordnance Survey of Ireland 1981.
  8. ^ a b Dalby 2009, p. 10.
  9. ^
    Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 8.
  10. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 4.
  11. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 12.
  12. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 8.
  13. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 14.
  14. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 8.
  15. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 8.
  16. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 8.
  17. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 4.
  18. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 4.
  19. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 6.
  20. Evening Herald
    . Dublin. p. 6.
  21. ^ "Committee to plan rural walks announced". The Irish Times. 26 May 1977. p. 14.
  22. ^ Plunkett 1993, p. 10.
  23. ^ a b Cullen, Paul (14 August 2006). "Wicklow Way – this route was made for walking". The Irish Times. p. 12.
  24. ^ a b Wilson 1989, p. 50.
  25. ^ "Minister opens our first country walk". Irish Independent. 16 August 1980. p. 11.
  26. ^ O'Clery, Conor (26 September 1981). "The Saturday Column". The Irish Times. p. 14.
  27. ^ Doherty, Judi (28 September 1981). "Wicklow's Wet and Wellied Walkers". The Irish Times. p. 5.
  28. ^ O Cathaoir, Brendan (11 July 1983). "Taking to the hills of County Wicklow". The Irish Times. p. 12.
  29. ^ a b Fewer 1996, p. 250.
  30. ^ Malone 1993, p. 37.
  31. ^ Malone 1997, p. 85.
  32. ^ Fewer 1993, p. 196.
  33. ^ O'Brien, Tim (1 November 1999). "Locals fear village of Laragh set to suffer from Wicklow Way diversion". The Irish Times. p. 3.
  34. ^ Coillte (2011). "The Wicklow Way. 2006–2011. Our Commitment to Upgrading Ireland's Premier Walking Trail" (PDF). Coillte Outdoors. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  35. ^ National Trails Office 2010, p. 47.
  36. ^ National Trails Office 2010, p. 8.
  37. Irish Sports Council
    . Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  38. ^ "National Waymarked Trails". IrishTrails.ie. Irish Sports Council. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  39. ^ a b "Guide to National Waymarked Ways in Ireland". IrishTrails.ie. Irish Sports Council. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  40. ^ van Rensburg, Doherty & Murray 2006, p. 17.
  41. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 5.
  42. ^ Bardwell, Fairbairn & McCormack 2003, p. 85.
  43. ^ Gosling, Paul (10 August 1994). "You can't see the trees for the wood". The Independent. London. p. 11.
  44. ^ O'Dwyer, John G. (25 September 2010). "Keeping ramblers in the loop". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  45. ^ a b National Trails Office 2010, pp. 47–48.
  46. ^ National Trails Office 2010, p. 24.
  47. ^ National Trails Office 2010, p. 55.
  48. ^ O Cathaoir, Brendan (21 July 1981). "Striding hills and valleys". The Irish Times. p. 10.
  49. ^ a b Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 34.
  50. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 11.
  51. ^ Fewer 1993, p. 188.
  52. ^ Dalby 2009, p. 8.
  53. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 35.
  54. ^ a b Dalby 2009, p. 30.
  55. ^ "Kilmashogue". Coillte Outdoors. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  56. ^ Coillte & GSI 1997, §1.
  57. ^ a b Fewer 1993, p. 189.
  58. ^ Boyle & Bourke 1990, pp. 18–20.
  59. ^ Dalby 2009, pp. 8–9.
  60. ^ Boyle & Bourke 1990, p. 23.
  61. ^ Boyle & Bourke 1990, p. 27.
  62. ^ Ordnance Survey Ireland 2010.
  63. ^ Coillte & GSI 1997, passim.
  64. ^ Boyle & Bourke 1990, p. 35.
  65. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 40.
  66. ^ "Mammals". Wicklow Mountains National Park. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Archived from the original on 22 September 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  67. ^ Boyle & Bourke 1990, p. 39.
  68. ^ Fewer 1998, p. 22.
  69. ^ Malone 1993, p. 53.
  70. ^ a b Boyle & Bourke 1990, p. 43.
  71. ^ Boyle & Bourke 1990, pp. 43–44.
  72. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 41.
  73. ^ "Untitled front page photograph". The Irish Times. 21 July 1990. p. 1.
  74. ^ Dalby 2009, pp. 18–19.
  75. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 44.
  76. ^ Malone 1993, p. 62.
  77. ^ Fewer 1993, p. 195.
  78. ^ Boyle & Bourke 1990, p. 55.
  79. ^ "Mountain Meitheal – working with Coillte to promote sustainable Recreation Trails". Coillte. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  80. ^ a b Boyle & Bourke 1990, p. 57.
  81. ^ a b c Fewer 1998, p. 30.
  82. ^ Coillte & GSI 1997, §2.
  83. ^ Boyle & Bourke 1990, p. 59.
  84. ^ Dalby 2009, p. 20.
  85. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 46.
  86. ^ Fewer 1998, pp. 30–32.
  87. ^ Fewer 1998, p. 54.
  88. ^ Dalby 2009, pp. 24–26.
  89. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 48.
  90. ^ Coillte & GSI 1997, §3.
  91. ^ a b Dalby 2009, p. 24.
  92. ^ Malone 1993, p. 77.
  93. ^ "Ballinafunshoge". Coillte Outdoors. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  94. ^ "Mountain Meitheal Volunteers". Volunteering Ireland. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  95. ^ Fewer 1993, p. 198.
  96. ^ Fewer 1998, p. 34.
  97. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 51.
  98. ^ "Wicklow Way (Drumgoff Section)". Coillte Outdoors. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  99. ^ "New shelter constructed on the Wicklow Way". Irish Mountain Log (99): 17. Autumn 2011.
  100. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 53.
  101. ^ a b Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 33.
  102. ^ a b Coillte & GSI 1997, §4.
  103. ^ a b Fewer 1998, p. 40.
  104. ^ Fewer 1993, p. 202.
  105. ^ Dalby 2009, p. 32.
  106. ^ Malone 1993, p. 99.
  107. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 55.
  108. ^ Fewer 1998, p. 44.
  109. ^ Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 56.
  110. ^ Fewer 1996, p. 268.
  111. ^ a b Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 57.
  112. ^ Dalby 2009, p. 35.
  113. ^ Fewer 1996, p. 271.
  114. ^ Fewer 1996, p. 270.
  115. ^ a b Megarry & Bardwell 2008, p. 59.
  116. ^ Coillte & GSI 1997, §5.
  117. ^ Malone 1993, p. 118.
  118. ^ Dalby 2009, pp. 38–40.
  119. ^ "Dublin Mountains Way". Dublin Mountains Partnership. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  120. ^ "St Kevin's Way". The Heritage Council. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  121. ^ "Maulin Mountain Loop". DiscoverIreland.ie. Fáilte Ireland. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  122. ^ "Ballycumber Loop". DiscoverIreland.ie. Fáilte Ireland. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  123. ^ "Kyle Loop". DiscoverIreland.ie. Fáilte Ireland. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  124. ^ "Mangan's Loop". DiscoverIreland.ie. Fáilte Ireland. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  125. ^ "Wicklow Way Relay". Irish Mountain Running Association. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  126. ^ "Wicklow Way Ultra". Irish Mountain Running Association. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  127. ^ "Wicklow Way Race". Irish Mountain Running Association. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  128. ^ "All direct routes to Grange Road (Marlay Park)". Dublin Bus. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  129. ^ "Travelling to and from the Wicklow Way". wicklowway.com. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  130. ^ "St. Kevins Bus Service". Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  131. ^ "Wicklow Way Bus Service". Retrieved 22 April 2011.

Bibliography

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