Glenealy , Wicklow

Visiting Glenealy Co Wicklow:

Glenealy is situated within the triangle of Ashford, Rathnew and Rathdrum making it ideal for accessing the N11/M50 motorway, close to many attractions yet a village in its own right with a very well supported GAA team whose website page you can view on www.wicklow.gaa.ie. You cannot miss being aware of when a match is on as the roadsides are decked out in their tem flags of red and white.

It is an important employment base with the Kerry Foods Factory situated here and the friendly local store which offers very very very tasty fresh rolls made to order.woof! Mmmm!

Also nearby is the well known Christmas tree farm where as a young puppy, I spent a fine day frolicking in the trees whilst my humans chose their Christmas tree. Ahh the memories! I think it even snowed that day! As a dog I must inform you that snow to me is as Summer is to you humans.

There is also a popular ( and recent Bord Bia Award Winning) gardening and landscaping centre based here which goes by the name of Trees-In-Transit and has an online shopping site which you can view by clicking here: www.shoppingdirect.ie.

Glenealy is but a stones throw from the lovely Devils glen walking trail in Ashford which features the ‘Sculpture in Woodland’ – exhibition as you walk the trails. As I mentioned in my piece on Ashford I absolutely adore this walk especially in October for the deer rutting and in May for the bluebells that carpet the woods near the car parking facilities.

Next to Devils glen is the devils glen holiday and equestrian village for horse riding enthusiasts and beginners plus the nearby bel air hotel and riding school which also offers all levels of horse riding facilities.

For walking holidays contact Ballyknocken house which offers guided and independent walking programmes including “Wicklow Way” trail, also home to the Highly acclaimed, Ballyknocken Cookery School run by chef Catherine Fulvio. This school offers a broad range of cookery classes from Southern Italian to Mexican, from vegetarian to Gourmet Entertaining and much more. www.ballyknocken.com Tel: +353 404 44627.

There is a farmers market held in the carpark of Ashford house every Saturday from 11am-3pm. Get there early as it is very popular and the early bird catches the worm (ugh!) as they say.