Things to do in The Coast
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Wicklow's Historic Gaol
Wicklow's infamous jail, opened in 1702 to deal with prisoners sentenced under the repressive Penal Laws, was renowned throughout Ireland for the brutality of its keepers and the harsh conditions suffered by its inmates. The smells, vicious beatings, shocking food and disease-ridden air have long since gone, but adults and children alike can experience a sanitised version of what the prison was like – and stimulate the secret sadist buried deep within – in the highly entertaining tour of the prison, now one of Wicklow's most popular tourist attractions. Actors play the roles of the various jailers and prisoners, adding to the sense of drama already heightened by the…
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Killruddery House & Gardens
About 3km south of Bray on the Greystones road are Killruddery House & Gardens. A stunning mansion in the Elizabethan Revival style, Killruddery has been home to the Brabazon family (earls of Meath) since 1618 and has one of the oldest gardens in Ireland. The house, designed by trendy 19th-century architects Richard Morrisson and his son William in 1820, was reduced to its present-day huge proportions by the 14th earl in 1953; he was obviously looking for something a little more bijou. The house is impressive, but the prizewinner here is the magnificent orangery, built in 1852 and chock-full of statuary and plant life. If you like fancy glasshouses, this is the one for…
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Mt Usher Gardens
Horticulturalists from around the world can be found salivating and muttering in approval as they walk around the 8-hectare Mt Usher Gardens, just outside the unremarkable town of Ashford, about 10km south of Greystones on the N11. OK, not really, but the gardens are pretty special, with trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants from around the world laid out in Robinsonian style – ie according to the naturalist principles of famous Irish gardener William Robinson (1838–1935) – rather than the formalist style of preceding gardens.
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Hungry Monk
An excellent 1st-floor restaurant on Greystones' main street. The blackboard specials are the real treat, with dishes like suckling pig with prune and apricot stuffing to complement the fixed menu's classic choices – fresh seafood, Wicklow rack of lamb, bangers and mash and so forth. This is one of the better places to get a bite along the whole of the Wicklow coast.
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Restaurant
The restaurant at Avoca Handweavers is huge and always busy. It puts a premium on sourcing the very best ingredients for its dishes. It is best known for its beef-and-Guinness casserole, but vegetarians are very well catered for as well. Many of the recipes are available in the two volumes of the Avoca Cookbook, both on sale for €45 for two.
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Avoca Handweavers
Avoca Handweavers is one hell of an operation, with seven branches nationwide and an even more widespread reputation for adding elegance and style to traditional rural handicrafts. Operational HQ is in a 19th-century arboretum, and its showroom will leave you in no doubt as to the company’s incredible success.
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Barracuda
When you’ve had your fill of live sea creatures in the National Sealife Centre, head upstairs to this minimalist, metal-and-mirrors restaurant and see what happens to Nemo when a really good chef gets his hands on him…or not. For your newly found love of the sea and all its inhabitants, there’s always a good steak.
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Mermaid Art Centre
An art gallery, theatre and cinema. The theatre puts on excellent gigs and modern, experimental-style plays, while the cinema shows art-house movies almost exclusively. Call to check prices. The art gallery has constantly changing exhibitions featuring the latest Irish and European works.
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Harbour Bar
A strong contender for Ireland’s best pub, here you can enjoy an excellent pint of Guinness in a quiet atmosphere of conviviality. There is a separate lounge with velvet curtains, assorted paintings and cosy couches. Sundays see the gay and lesbian community chill to some terrific DJs.
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Leitrim Bar & Lounge
Above-par bar food with a bit of imagination is the staple at this old-fashioned public house in the middle of town. Burgers, steaks and sandwiches are there, but you’ll also find some Asian-influenced stir-fries and duck dishes.
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Campo de Fiori
One of the best Italian restaurants along the eastern seaboard, everything here has the flavour of authenticity, from the homemade breads and dipping oils to the complimentary shot of limoncello liqueur with the bill.
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Donelli's
From great coffee and cakes to an excellent menu of inviting dishes – including the likes of Penang chicken, vegetarian curry and Asian marinated salmon – this is a wonderful place to eat or linger in.
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Three Q's
You'll find a smart menu at this elegant restaurant, with dishes like wood pigeon and duck sharing the space with North African delicacies like baked Moroccan fish with chickpeas, tomato and coriander.
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National Sealife Centre
The National Sealife Centre is the British-run aquarium which has a fairly big selection of tanks, stocked with 70 different sea and freshwater species.
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Porterhouse
This popular watering hole does a roaring trade in beers from around the world as well as its own selection of intoxicating brews.
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Clancy’s Bar
A real spit-and-sawdust kind of place with a clientele as old as the wood in the bar; it’s perfect for a quiet pint and a chat.
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Farmers Market
The town hosts a weekly farmers market on Market Square, just off Main St.
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Farmers Market
The weekly farmers market takes place in front of the heritage centre.
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Byrne’s
Relax in Byrne’s, better known as Dan’s, which serves a gorgeous pint.
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Halpin's Bridge Cafe
An award-winning cafe serving delicious salads, homemade wraps, soups and an ever-changing special of the day. Eat in or take away.
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