Having attended a conference in Dublin, my wife and I wanted somewhere peaceful to unwind for a couple of days afterwards. A good friend suggested we head for Glendalough and after a couple of hours on the internet reading about the different options for Hotels, B&Bs and hostels in the area, we decided Riversdale House looked the nicest and had the best position.
And we weren’t wrong; immediately outside the property runs a river with sturdy stepping stones crossing over to a pathway along which you are about a 10-15 minute walk away from the hamlet with St. Kevin’s Kitchen, the Glendalough Hotel and the Visitors Centre – from where you can embark on one of several walks (ranging from as 20 minute stroll to a four hour hill-climb). Having quickly done one of the shorter walks we spoke with the ranger at the Information Centre and cautiously set off on the ‘White’ route that took us up over the hills/mountains above the two lakes (from where the name Glendalough is derived). The majority of the clockwise route is lined with a ‘broadwalk’ – parallel train sleepers covered in nails and chicken-wire for added grip. This made it passable for non-hardened walkers like us – even after the recent heavy snows. Our walk finished on a leg of the ‘Wicklow Way’ which ran down another marked route to come out virtually opposite Riversdale House.
Riversdale House is a relatively new well-appointed property (no more than ten years old) and our room was very comfortable with a great bed, nice bedding & towels and easy free internet connection.
The wide choice of breakfast options (including cooked to order ‘full’ and ‘half’ Irish Breakfasts) made for a wonderful start to each day of sightseeing. Liam and Zell get the balance of attentiveness without being intrusive, just right and their suggestions of where to eat for our two nights were exactly what we were looking for – firstly going to the Wicklow Heathers Restaurant (with a free lift home) and then to the Glenmalure Lodge, a pub / B&B about 20 minutes drive away.
We will have no hesitation recommending others to Riversdale House and will hope to get back there ourselves as soon as possible!
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