Wicklow Weekend - Arrival

At the end of May it is D’s birthday and we are often all together for the celebration as it’s around Bank Holiday. This year was to be no exception even though he’s away in Norway. This was secretly arranged by S, who invited us all to meet up in Ireland for a long weekend and we all went along with the surprise, booking tickets and finding out about things to do in Co. Wicklow and Dublin.
Friday came and A and I set off for our flight – arriving some time ahead of the birthday boy so we could surprise him as he and S came through. His face was a picture and S told us that until they were on the plane to Amsterdam, D didn’t have a clue where they were going nor did he have any idea we would be there. Priceless! We waited for M and N to arrive then drove off in our hire car for Wicklow town for a late supper of tapas in Al’s Bar. This was delicious and although we were the sole occupants of this little café, it was great fun. Then we found our way back to the guest house.

We stayed at Ballyknocken House, which has its own cookery school attached. Here TV chef/owner Catherine Fulvio holds cookery classes in all sorts of cuisines. The rooms are all beautifully appointed with ensuites that have huge Victorian baths which have showers in them, so if you go hiking there is the promise of a good soak when you come back. The views are lovely, either over the mountains or out across the rolling farmland towards the coast.

Ballyknocken House information