An A-Z of Things to See in Ireland: The Vale of Avoca
In my A-Z of Things to See in Ireland V is indisputably for the Vale of Avoca. This beautiful part of Irish countryside is very close to Dublin. For the time pressed visitor to Ireland with very few days for sight seeing, the Vale of Avoca can offer spectacular scenery along with the opportunity to see some early Christian sites at Glendalough. Personally, I do not feel that you get to know Ireland if you only stick to the cities. If you only have four days for a visit to Ireland you can have a leisurely visit to Dublin and the Vale of Avoca.
The area has been immortalised in this poem by Thomas Moore who lived between 1779 and 11852.
The Meeting of the Waters
There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet
As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet;
Oh! the last rays of feeling and life must depart,
Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from heart.
Yet it was not that nature had shed o’er the scene
Her purest of crystal and brightest of green;
‘Twas not her soft magic of streamlet or hill,
Oh! no, — it was something more exquisite still.
‘Twas that friends, the beloved of my bosom, were near,
Who made every dear scene of enchantment more dear,
And who felt how the best charms of nature improve,
When we see them reflected from looks that we love.
Sweet vale of Avoca! how calm could I rest
In thy bosom of shade, with the friends I love best,
Where the storms that we feel in this cold world should cease,
And our hearts, like thy waters, be mingled in peace.
The town of Avoca has been made famous as the location where the 1990s television series Ballykissangel was filmed. Apart from its scenic location beside the river and in the Wicklow Mountains, the town also offers the Avoca Craft and Gift centre where you can find quality hand woven woollen items and other Irish made crafts on sale. So for a short trip this could prove the solution to any souvenirs you need to stock up on, as well as unique birthday and Christmas gifts.
A tour of the area should also take you to Glendalough where St. Kevin founded his monastic community. There is an excellent example of a round tower as well as meandering romantic walks around the lake.
Situated in ‘the valley of two lakes’ in the Wicklow National Park this area includes the long distance walk trail The Wicklow Way along with the archaeological remains from the early Christian past. There is wildlife to keep the naturalist happy and observant. But there is also a great peace in this valley and you can spend many happy hours contemplating the lake water and watching dragonflies, mayflies and other lakeside species in the deep quiet.