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The lodge is perfect if you just want to simply get away from it all,
read a book, listen to music and relax. However, for those of you looking
for some activity there is an abundance of interesting pursuits on your
doorstep. Try your hand at Hill Walking, Golf,
Clara Lara Funpark, Fishing,
Paintball, Mountain-biking,
Rock Climbing, Canoeing,
Greenan Farm Museum and Maze, Horse
Riding, Hot Air Ballooning, 4x4
Off Road Driving, Archery, Falconry,
Clay Pigeon Shooting, Pottery,
Annamoe Trout Farm, Bird
Watching, Sailing, Beach, Watersports
and much much more...
Hill Walking
There
are many spectacular hill walks close to Glenmalure, in fact the famous
Wicklow Way passes through Glenmalure. For those looking for a leisurely
stroll take a walk up to stunning Glendalough. For the more energetic
among you there is no end to the hill walking possibilities in and around
Glenmalure. The hike up Lugnaquilla is certainly spectacular. It comprises
of a steep climb partly alongside the rapids of the Fraughan Rock Glenends
close to the summit, with a return over easy ground giving lovely, long-distance
views. 
Vital
statistics: walking time 5.25 hours, distance 15 km, climb 780m. Some
attention to navigation is required on the descents from Clohernagh and
from Art's Lough. Otherwise quite easy, though this is an area with several
sections of cliff so attention is required. Check out the photos
from the hikes that our guests have done.
Golf
Few areas in the country can match County Wicklow - The Garden of Ireland
- for the wide choice of golf available, from challenging to the scenic,
with facilities matching the best international standards to make your
golfing holiday an enjoyable and memorable one.
As a rule the courses in Wicklow are under used during the week and
there is plenty of opportunity for visitors to play a round. The green
fees are very reasonable by European standards. It is advisable to contact
the club to make a booking beforehand. Generally there should be no problem
and visiting golfers can be certain of a Wicklow Welcome!
The
lodge is set on the grounds of Glenmalure Golf Club just 100 metres from
the club house and the 1st tee. With spectacular views of Lugnaquilla,
Wicklow's highest peak, this delightful golf course offers a testing but
fair challenge to both high and low handicaps.
The
Course is an 18 hole, Par 71 and is affiliated to Golfing Union of Ireland.
Full catering is available. Tee reservations can be made under +353-404-46679
although on most days this is not necessary. The green fees are EUR 25
on weekdays and EUR 35 on weekends. For more details, click here.
There is a golf pro available for lessons at a price of € 50 / hour / person. Please contact Seamus Clinton on +353 86 8674201 to arrange an appointment.
If you wish to venture further down the road there is a whole selection of courses within a short driving distance. Click here for a list including hyperlinks.
Greenan Farm Museum and Maze
Greenan
Farm Museum and Maze is situated just two miles down the road from
Glenmalure (direction Aughrim). The Farm and Farmhouse Museum present
exhibits going back over 200 years when traditional hill-farming used
only the horse and the ass. The function of the museum is to provide knowledge
and understanding of the different aspects of life on a traditional hill-farm
and to collect and preserve material to this end. The collection is already
one of the largest in the country.
The bottle museum was established in 1985 and holds a very large collection
of antique 19th and early 20th century bottles.
The Maze was planted in 1988 using Lwason Cypress and stands on about a half an acre. A stream flows through it to a pond in the circular centre, which is surprisingly difficult to find. There are also tea-rooms, a craft shop, a nature walk and farm animals.
Contact: will@greenanmaze.com or +353-404-46000 during opening hours and +353-402-36308 at all other times. The Museum and Farm are only open in the summer months.
Fishing
County Wicklow is lined with many rivers and lakes which feed from the Wicklow Mountains and form the starting point of large rivers such as the River Liffey and the River Slaney. The best fishing is further down the rivers with brown trout available in many areas such as the Rivers Aughrim, Avonmore, Avonbeg, Dargle, Derry, Liffey, Slaney, Vartry, and the reservoirs at Blessington and Roundwood. Course fishing is also popular at Poulaphouca, Blessington and Roundwood lakes. Expect to find salmon, sea and brown trout, rainbow trout, pike, perch and roach.
For more detailed information on the rivers, fish, permits etc. please click here.
Clara Lara Funpark
Clara
Lara is a 100 acre funpark situated just a few kilometres up the road
from Glenmalure. Here in spectacular surroundings of oak trees and water
are assault courses, water slides, boating lakes, kiddie-karts, tree houses
and woodland playgrounds. Have a go on the breathtaking Aqua Shuttle -the
biggest slide in Ireland.
Children
can sail away to wherever they fancy on the Pirate Galleon. Children should
bring a change of clothes and old shoes. For the less energetic there
are riverside picnic areas and barbecues, mini-golf and miles of hill
walking through the spectacular countryside. There is also a junior playground.
Clara Lara is only open during the summer months. Please contact them directly for information on the opening times.
Paintball
Back the road in Roundwood a company called Skirmish offer an extensive range of Paintball games where numerous battle scenarios can be played through. Protective clothing, equipment and instruction are all supplied.
Mountain-biking
Cycling is one of the best ways to explore the Wicklow Mountains. For both the hardy and less energetic cyclist alike, there are any number of suitable routes to choose from. McGraths of Rathdrum (opposite the Bank of Ireland) rent mountain-bikes for approximately EUR 10 a day (+353-404-46172).
Rock Climbing
If rock climbing is what you are looking for then Tiglin is the place to be. Tiglin - the National Mountain & Whitewater Centre - have over three decades of experience in the development of adventure sports and outdoor education in Ireland. Climbing, mountaineering and canoeing can be counted among their specialities. They offer a whole range of courses from basic to the extreme. Tiglin's instructional staff consists of dedicated professionals who are widely recognised within their respective activities as high profile enthusiasts. Their training experience will provide you with a supportive, safe and exciting environment in which your skills and potential can be developed and enjoyed.
Canoeing
Wicklow plays host to numerous superb canoeing locations. Just as in rock climbing we recommend that you touch base with the professionals in Tiglin. They offer courses in White Water Techniques, Sea Kayaking, Open Boating, River Safety & Rescue as well as Proficiency & Instructor Courses.
Horse Riding
County Wicklow offers a number of riding centres. Immense tracts of open countryside, quiet country lanes, spectacular mountain scenery and small welcoming villages provide an idyllic setting for both horse and rider.
Hot Air Ballooning
Irish
Balloon Flights operate out of Macreddin Village just down the road. This
is one of the most spectacular ways to see Wicklow. For full details check
out their website.
4x4 Off Road Driving
Both
Ireland Xtreme and Quest
Events offer a range of outdoor adventure activities close to Glenmalure
including Off Road driving, Grass Karting, Xtreme Treasure Hunts, Helicopter
& Balloon Rides, Shooting & Target Events and Pony Treks.
Pottery
Down
in the Glenmalure Valley, just shortly before you reach the Glenmalure
Lodge, you will come across Belinda Brayshaw Pottery. Belinda, of English
and Chinese parentage, moved to Ireland in 1992 and two years later set
up this pottery. Her distinct style of pleasing shapes and vividly colourful
designs, means her pottery is in constant demand. It is hand-crafted in
white earthenware clay, delicately hand-painted and finished in a clear
lead-free glaze.
Annamoe Trout Farm
Situated
on the road between Laragh and Roundwood this 9 acre leisure park is set
in a scenic woodland area on the banks of the Annamoe river. The park
features adventure play areas and a shallow lake with canoes and rafts
for water play. There is a separate stocked fishing lake where you are
guaranteed a catch.
Sea Swimming at Brittas Bay
Although
Glenmalure is in the mountains, the east coast and Irish sea are only
a short drive away. Brittas Bay has a European Union Blue Flag which sets high standards for the cleanliness and safety of the beach and water.
Bird Watching
The Little Tern Colony near Kilcoole in Co. Wicklow is a well-established
bird watching location and has two full-time wardens on duty from May
to August.
The Little Tern is now the rarest breeding seabird in Ireland with only
170 pairs recorded in a 1995 survey. Otters are regularly seen swimming
in the lagoon during the summer and harbour porpoises can be seen offshore.
Sailing
The are a number of centres offer a range of sailing facilities. Check out the Irish Sailing Association's website.
Watersports & More
Check out the Blessington Lakeshore Resort for a range of sports including canoeing, windsurfing, kayaking, and sailing, clay pigeon, shooting, archery, tennis, bike-riding, hill-walking, horse riding, golf and orienteering.