Hollywood, Wicklow

I knew I’d make it to Hollywood someday!! Yes folks, Wicklow has it’s very own Hollywood and what a picturesque place it is. Less famous for movies and more famous for traditional music perhaps, Hollywood is located at the end of the Wicklow gap.

The village has monastic associations with pilgrims passing here en route to St Kevin of Glendalough. There is a Protestant church with a valuted roof dating from the 17th Century. The traditional music fame I refer to is of course the annual ‘music under the mountains’ festival which takes place annually in September (exact dates to be confirmed).

This is a traditional music and song showcase festival aimed at highlighting and supporting the traditional music teaching programme in Hollywood, a music bursary established in memory of Laura Greaves who was a founding member of music under the mountain. This bursary has, to date, enabled in excess of 200 children from the area to receive traditional music tuition and learn the joys and work involved in mastering an instrument or delivering a song. For details you can contact Eric Greaves on + 353 1 4567401.

Local amenities include horse racing, pitch n putt, golf, horse riding, woodland walks and the nearby Blessington lakes resort.

Blessington lakes consist of 5000 acres of tranquil clean water offering a variety of adventure water pursuits such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, leisure cruising and more. You can also avail of off-water outdoor activites in the area such as tennis, mountain biking, archery, clay pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting, orienteering and more for details check out their website: www.blessingtonlakesshoreresort.com

Also nearby is the beautifully maintained Palladian architecture that is Russborough House, which is open to the public and boasts a fine collection of paintings some of which have had adventures of being stolen and recovered over the past number of years! For opening times contact them at tel: +35345865239

Accommodation in the area ranges from guesthouses eg: www.ardcarraighouse.com to self catering accommodation such as lovely peaceful stone cottages www.wicklow-mountain-retreats.com for details.

For the more luxurious stay you could avail of accommodation in nearby Blessington at Tulfarris Golf & Country House Hotel situated on the shores of Blessington Lakes on a beautiful 200-acre woodland. This exceptional hotel offers leisure facilities and 80 en suite bedrooms. Recently  undergoing a major redevelopment programme on a phased basis across the resort  we recommend contacting them @ 353 45 867600/555 or check out their website on: www.tulfarris.com