Kilmacanogue, Wicklow

Visiting Kilmacanogue:

Kilmacanogue is a village situated close to Bray on the junction of the R755 to Roundwood and the N11 motorway. It is perhaps best associated with Avoca Handweavers as their flagship craft premises is located here.

Avoca Handweavers have in fact, become almost equally well known for the quality of their food as they use local and artisan produce as much as possible resulting in large volumes of people visiting here to shop and experience the wholesome home-cooked food

The backdrop to the village is the scenic Sugarloaf mountains.The village itself is named after St Mocheanog who , legend has it , baptised the Children Of Lir just before their death. St Mocheanog was apparently a companion of our most famous saint, St Patrick!

The village has few amenities, however, it does have a busy and popular service station stop-off for Dublin commuters and also has it’s own primary school, post office, church and pub – sure what more could you ask for.

The National Garden Exhibition Centre in Kilquade lies just 4 kilometers south of the Glen of the Downs and is definitely worth a visit as it features 219 gardens both large and small offering a fine example of diversity and contrast.

Some of the plants are bigger than me – then again, I guess that wouldn’t be too hard! Hmph! You can contact them on tel:+353 1 2819890 or view their new website : www.gardenexhibition.ie

The Kilmacanogue Gaa team are currently developing a new website so watch this space!

Walking club: Three rock, moorpark, Kilmacanogue. Contact: David Brennan +353 1 2829909

Nearby: Bray strollers and social club: open to all ; contact Martin Pugh for details on +353 1 2829909

Brennanstown riding school is an aire and british horse society approved riding and training establishment with excellent indoor and outdoor riding facilities, qualified instructors and catering for all standards of rider.

One recent Christmas (2008?)the Irish Mountain Running Association held the Charles Barrington Memorial Race here. Barrington had strong Wicklow connections and a great interest in anything sporting – once buying and training a horse himself to win the Irish Grand National – for a bet, of course!

When visiting the English Lake District, he saw a mountain race, so decided to have one in Ireland. In 1870, he organized a race up and down the Sugarloaf and let it be known that the winner would get a gold watch from him.

The news spread, and on the day of the race, a strong field of many tough runners from around Ireland had gathered at the foot of the mountain in anticipation of the expensive watch.

When Barrington’s gun went, they were reduced to the role of spectators as the aptly named Tom Hill – an even tougher Wicklow man – showed everybody a clean pair of heels and pocketed the golden watch.