Newtownmountkennedy, Wicklow

Visiting Newtownmountkennedy:

Also known as ‘that village with the really really really long name – the longest in Ireland in fact) newtownmountkennedy is close to Kilcoole (with its bird-watchers paradise) and the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve.

The nearby village of Newcastle hosts the North Wicklow country market every Saturday morning from 10.30am to 12.30 in the community centre which has ample car parking facilities so if your in the area then why not pop by and see what you can pick up? I like most doggie treats.hint hint.

Close by you can explore the colourful plantlife in Warble Bank Garden which is a large and charming old-fashioned hillside garden under continuous cultivation for over 100 years.

A lovely day out in June/July & September they even organise guided tours. You can contact Anne Condell at +353 1 281 9298

The state owned forestry company that is Coillte is located here with lots of interesting information about forestry life, walks throughout its state owned forests and departments dedicated to ecology and design, using leading edge production and design technology.

It’s a lovely wooden building in itself – you can’t miss it. For information on the many services partaken of here check out their website: www.coillte.ie

Into hunting, horse riding, outdoor activities or just shooting with the camera?

You will find a delightfully fashionable range of outdoor wear and clothes with a country twang (as such) at Fishers of newtownmountkennedy. Frankly, if you want to look cool, feel warm and move freely this is the place for you! Haven’t you seen my wellies?

But that’s not all – woof! Being the greedy little dog I am (sometimes) I simply must tell you about the Buttery Café serving fresh seafood, homemade soup, vegetarian dishes, and always an interesting variety of specials.You can view sample menus and explore the shop online at: www.fishers.ie

It is here that the well known Druids Glen Marriott Hotel and Country Club encompassing the highly regarded Druids Glen golf club is located See their website www.druidsglen.ie for details on conferencing, leisure and golfing faciltities.

Newtown taekwando club goes from strength to strength (it is in its 21st year now!) and members have competed in competitions worldwide.

The club caters for adults and children from 7 years up and is based in the Newtown community centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. You can tel Mick Whelan on +353 87 9897217 or view their website : www.eastcoasttkd.org

As I mentioned earlier newtownmountkennedy is just inland from Kilcoole & Newcastle which share the site of the new nature reserve. This is run by birdwatch Ireland and they are currently appealing for help in making it become a success.

The project is known as the Blackditch Appeal with Birdwatch Ireland urgently needing to raise 100,000 euro to support conservation and habitat restoration work, build fencing, provide observation hides, boardwalks, pathways, benches and buy urgent equipment and tools.