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Escape to the Peaks: The Ultimate Weekend Guide to Wicklow Cottage Stays
The Wicklow Mountains, offer a landscape defined by granite peaks, purple-heathered moors, and deep glacial lakes. For those seeking a reprieve from the urban bustle of Dublin, a cottage stay in Roundwood, Ireland’s highest village provides the perfect vantage point to experience this wilderness.
Whether you are drawn by the silence of the uplands or the architectural heritage of restored farmsteads, County Wicklow remains a premier destination for restorative travel.
The Willow Suite
The Heritage of Cullen’s Cottages: A Restoration Story
At the heart of the Roundwood experience lies Cullen’s Cottages, a collection of 200-year-old stone buildings now known as Fort William. These structures have been meticulously restored by hosts Ciara and Eamonn, who utilized their backgrounds in project management and interior design to blend 19th-century character with 21st-century luxury. The restoration emphasizes natural materials, preserving the thick stone walls and rustic spirit while introducing modern necessities like heated floors, high-end appliances, and bespoke cabinetry.
Accommodation options at Cullen’s Cottages are designed for flexibility. The main Cullen’s Cottage is a two-bedroom retreat ideal for mature families or couples, featuring mountain views and a cozy wood-burning stove. For couples, the Hawthorn and Willow suites offer a boutique “studio lodge” experience, providing a more intimate setting without sacrificing the expansive views of the Wicklow hills.
A Weekend Itinerary: Exploring Wicklow
A weekend in Roundwood allows for a curated blend of physical exertion and cultural immersion. The geography of the region is dominated by the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which covers approximately 20,000 hectares of protected land.
Saturday: The Monastic Silence and Mountain Peaks Begin your morning with a short drive to Glendalough, the “Valley of the Two Lakes.” Established by St. Kevin in the 6th century, this monastic site is home to a world-famous 30-meter Round Tower and the ruins of several medieval churches. For hikers, the “Spinc” trail offers a challenging loop with breathtaking views over the Upper Lake, showcasing the glacial U-shaped valley formed during the last Ice Age.
In the afternoon, traverse the Sally Gap. This high mountain pass offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the country, characterized by vast expanses of blanket bog and the dark, peaty waters of Lough Tay (often called the “Guinness Lake” due to its dark water and white sand beach).
Sunday: Coastal Breezes and Village Charm After a slow morning enjoying fresh scones and eggs from the Cullen’s Cottages hens, head toward the coast. Brittas Bay offers a 5km stretch of white sand dunes and clean water, perfect for a brisk walk. Alternatively, visit the Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry. Ranked by National Geographic as one of the top gardens in the world, the estate features Italianate terraces, a Japanese garden, and Ireland’s highest waterfall.
Before departing, spend time in Roundwood itself. As one of the highest villages in Ireland, it serves as a gateway for the Wicklow Way, the country’s oldest long-distance walking trail. The village is renowned for its welcoming pubs and proximity to the Vartry Reservoir, which offers flat, scenic walking paths suitable for all fitness levels.
The Luxury of Ease
The true appeal of a Wicklow cottage stay is the “luxury of ease.” It is the ability to spend a day battling the elements on a granite ridge and returning to a home where the fire is ready to be lit and the linens are of the highest quality. At Cullen’s Cottages, the experience is elevated by “insider knowledge” hosts who can provide the best hiking routes, dinner reservations, or even a quiet spot for stargazing in the dark skies of the national park.
