scenic viewpoint
Vale of Avoca
A wooded river valley on the R752 in Wicklow at the meeting of the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers.
9 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeIrelandLeinster
Arklow
Leinster, Ireland · Europe
About Arklow
Arklow works well as a base: 15 minutes from Castletown, 27km from Glendalough Upper Lake.
Arklow is in Leinster, Ireland, with about 13,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Castletown, about 8 km away.
Arklow ( ARK-loh; from Old Norse Arnkell-ló 'meadow of Arnkell'; Irish: An tInbhear Mór, lit. 'the great estuary') is a town in County Wicklow on the southeast coast of Ireland. The town is overlooked by Ballymoyle Hill. It was founded by the Vikings in the ninth century. Arklow was the site of one of the bloodiestRead more
battles of the 1798 rebellion. Its proximity to Dublin led to it becoming a commuter town with a population of 13,163 as of the 2016 census. The 2022 census recorded a population of 13,399. The town is in a townland and civil parish of the same name.
Arklow is at the mouth of the River Avoca, the longest river wholly within County Wicklow. The town is divided by the river, which is crossed by the Nineteen Arches Bridge, a stone arch bridge linking the southern or main part of the town with the northern part, called Ferrybank. The Nineteen Arches Bridge is the longest handmade stone bridge in Ireland, and a plaque on the south end of the bridge acknowledges this.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Arklow?
Within an hour or so of Arklow: Vale of Avoca (9 km), Glendalough (27 km), Glendalough Upper Lake (27 km), The Spinc, Glendalough (27 km).
Are there any good drives near Arklow?
The nearest famous roads are Wicklow Gap, Sally Gap and Copper Coast Geopark.
Where is Arklow?
Arklow is in Leinster, Ireland, about 8 km from Castletown.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 13,163
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- Leinster
- Timezone
- Europe/Dublin
- Coordinates
- 52.7944, -6.1496
Tags
Worth the detour from Arklow
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
Glendalough
Atmospheric early medieval monastic settlement in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, with round tower, stone churches and tranquil lakes.
27 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Glendalough Upper Lake
The upper of Glendalough's two lakes, ringed by cliffs and mine ruins at the head of the valley — quieter than the monastic city.
27 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
The Spinc, Glendalough
A boardwalk ridge walk high above the Upper Lake at Glendalough, climbing beside the Poulanass waterfall.
27 km · about 30 min drive
mountain pass
Wicklow Gap
High mountain pass on the R756 across the Wicklow Mountains between Hollywood and Glendalough, following the medieval pilgrims' route of St Kevin's Road through wild granite moorland.
32 km · about 35 min drive
waterfall
Glenmacnass Waterfall
A waterfall spilling off the plateau beside the Military Road in the Wicklow Mountains, with parking right at the top.
33 km · about 40 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Lough Tay (Guinness Lake)
A dark lake with a pale sand beach at one end, viewed from the R759 above; used as the Viking village in the series Vikings.
36 km · about 40 min drive
waterfall
Powerscourt Waterfall
Ireland's highest waterfall at 121 metres, cascading down a rock face in the beautiful Powerscourt Estate in the Wicklow Mountains.
39 km · about 45 min drive
Driving roads near Arklow
8 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- Right hereVale of AvocaA wooded river valley on the R752 in Wicklow at the meeting of the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers.
- 27 kmThe Spinc, GlendaloughA boardwalk ridge walk high above the Upper Lake at Glendalough, climbing beside the Poulanass waterfall.
- 32 kmWicklow GapHigh mountain pass on the R756 across the Wicklow Mountains between Hollywood and Glendalough, following the medieval pilgrims' route of St Kevin's Road through wild granite moorland.
- 36 kmLough Tay (Guinness Lake)A dark lake with a pale sand beach at one end, viewed from the R759 above; used as the Viking village in the series Vikings.
- 40 kmSally GapA high crossroads pass over the Wicklow Mountains amid blanket bog, with the famous Military Road running through.
- 65 kmHowth Cliff WalkA looped cliff path around Howth Head with views to Ireland's Eye and the Wicklow mountains, easily reached from Dublin.
Driving in Ireland
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€2.10/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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