Rathdrum combines a striking location above the Avonmore Valley with walking trails, local history and Greenan Maze. If you are considering an overnight stay here, you can first decide whether riverside scenery, trails, culture or rail connections should shape your stay. The specific starting and arrival points in the village offer a practical guide.
Valley Views and Trails
Rathdrum sits high on the western side of the Avonmore Valley. From there, you can enjoy impressive views of the River Avonmore as it flows through the Vale of Clara. The valley and river give your choice of location a clear connection to the landscape and complement the walking options with a perspective of their own.
The Avonmore Way connects Rathdrum with Glendalough and the Wicklow Way. Another starting point in the village is the car park at the Church of Ss. Mary and Michael: the Jubilee Loop begins there, and a map board and further information about the walk are available at the start. Check current trail and diversion notices before setting out.
The Samuel Hayes Suspension Bridge crosses the Avonmore River and connects the trail at Hidden Valley Park with Rathdrum. It opened in June 2021. Together with the starting point for the Jubilee Loop and the Avonmore Way connection, the bridge shows that local trails have different starting points and connections.
Greenan Maze
Greenan Maze in Greenan, Rathdrum, offers winding mazes, traditional farm animals, three farm museums and nature trails. This brings together a range of experiences: outdoor walks, encounters with farm animals and insights into farm life. Access is seasonal, so plan your visit to suit the time of year.
Guided tours combine stories, historical content, entertainment and animal feeding. Check the seasonal availability of tours in advance. This lets you take the experience into account when planning your trip without assuming it is available year-round.
History in Rathdrum
Rathdrum was the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell. The Parnell National Memorial Park is also located in the village. These two connections give local history a particular focus for visitors interested in Parnell’s ties to Rathdrum.
County Wicklow in a Wider Context
In the wider destination of County Wicklow, Glendalough offers a broader perspective on regional history: St Kevin founded a monastery there in the 6th century. The remains of Glendalough’s Monastic City include a round tower, numerous medieval stone churches and decorated crosses.
The landscape of County Wicklow can also be considered on a larger scale. Wicklow Mountains National Park covers 20,000 hectares and is an important recreational area for locals and tourists. The Wicklow Way was Ireland’s first waymarked long-distance trail.
The trails represent different scales: the Jubilee Loop has a named starting point in Rathdrum, the Avonmore Way connects the village with Glendalough and the Wicklow Way, and the Wicklow Way holds particular significance in the history of waymarked long-distance trails in Ireland. This allows you to consider local trails separately from the wider landscape of County Wicklow.
Getting Here and Choosing Where to Stay
Rathdrum railway station has northbound services to destinations including Wicklow Town, Greystones, Bray and Dublin, and southbound services to destinations including Wexford and Rosslare Ferry Port. Check current services before you travel. If you are looking for a hotel in Rathdrum, you can use rail connections and your planned visits in the area as separate criteria when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Greystones, Aughrim, Bray, Woodenbridge, Arklow, Avoca, Newtownmountkennedy, Tulfarris Holiday Village
For the wider travel overview: County Wicklow.
