New Tripbod in Wicklow, knows all the best places to go

Una is our newest recruit in Ireland. She is well connected to the local area, having worked in the local library for many years from where she is soon to retire. In retirement Una plans to spend her days enjoying the land and sea around her. She is an avid outdoor swimmer and plans to carry on swimming every day throughout winter. Una is also proud of the literary heritage of her area and is keen to help visitors explore the nooks and crannies of Greystones.

Here are some website recommended by Una:

www.mountainviews.ie
An Irish web-site that gives great route descriptions and links to other related sites.
http://winter-swimmers.blogspot.com The sea swimmers site, Greystones South Beach.
http://www.wicklowway.com The classic walk through Wicklow.
http://www.visitwicklow.ie/attractions/bray-greystones-cliff-walk.htm This is enough to bring a visitor to Greystones. It can be cycled too. http://www.festivalofworldcultures.com/ Next year this festival is in July .
http://www.mountainstosea.ie/ A literary festival.

Una talks about her local area:

"Greystones Wins First Place and Gold Medal in 2008 International Awards for Liveable Communities in Dongguan, in South China. The project achieved first place in the “whole city” section, judged as the world’s most liveable communities, population up to 20,000. I never get over the variety of beauty that surrounds me, we are enlosed by “hills” behind us and look out at the wide expanse of ocean (or Irish Sea).

Wicklow County has a wide range of tourist attractions, all are well advertised on the sites above. Wicklow has beautiful beaches, mountains, proximity to the City of Dublin and many Arts, Culture, Music and Community Festivals. It is well served by public transport. If you get the “DART” from Greystones to Dublin you will have the coast on your right and it is compared to the “Bay of Naples”. I see it every day going to work and it never ceases to amaze me, the mountains come down to the seas. It is a journey not many take unless they are going into Dublin to see the “sights”. Likewise a train trip in the other direction to Wexford is a good day out. Hire a bike and you could be in Enniskerry, Powerscourt, Djouce Woods, Devil’s Glen within the day. There are some very good hostels available too. One BLOG already refers to Glenmalure Hostel. It is in an idylic location, and if you are interested in Irish History and Local Heroes there is some very interesting reading to be done. Heard of Glendalough?

Go outside Wicklow! Where to? Guidebooks invariably head you to Killarney, Galway, Mayo and the best of the rest. All of these are well served by public transport, leaving you free to walk or hire bikes or use local buses to get around.

The Northern coast is one of my favourite trips. You can cycle and there are guides to day routes. The Mournes, Carlingford Lough, the strands of Portstewart and Donegal... Art exhibitions, Galleries, Bookshops, Literature festivals..Dun Laoghaire have regular author readings in the local libraries, all information is widely publicised on the web-sites. Walk down Dun Laoghaire pier before you head home on the ferry which leaves from the nearby terminal once a day, or go to Dublin Port where there is more choice, that way you can bring your bike with you (or your car). Prices are high for food, drink and accommodation.

You can do Ireland on a budget, you may just need some local advice. "

Contact Una to find out more