TLDR – Day trip to Wicklow town in County Wicklow. Cliff walk, Town walk, Lunch, Book store, Skate park, beach (Ken’s Job)
Drive to Wicklow
The kids were up and loaded into the van shortly after 0900, all snuggled in with blankets, pillows, books, audiobooks (Iron Druid for Maddex), and some snacks. We collect Roxi on the way; she slept over at a friend’s house last night. The drive to Wicklow town covered the quickest route, following the N11/M11 south for about 40 minutes. I set the first stop at The Murrough Playground on the north side of Wicklow, thinking the playground and skate part would be a good start. Michelle changed the destination after we got off the M11 to the Wicklow Cliff walk, thinking it would be less crowded earlier in the day. She made the correct call, ran into no one on the way out, and started to meet people on the way back.
Cliff walk
Michelle spent her last mom break in Wicklow, she knows the town’s layout. Walking down the stairs at the start of the walk, she says ” The stairs are nice now, but you’ll feel the on the way up.” – she’s like a profit today. The cliff walk started with excellent open trails over some rocks with the water to our left. Eventually, the trail turned into tall ferns nearly covering and encroaching into the trail. Khaleesi had to carry Piggy over her head to avoid him being snagged on a thorn. Roxi slowed way down and snuck around the bushes, avoiding contact with torn bushes and blackberries mixed in with some nettles. On the map, there’s a lighthouse at the end of the path. At the end of the path is a gate blocking the path to the Lighthouse, saying private property, turn back now. No lighthouse for us
On the walk back, we stopped at a few of the beaches. Maddex managed to get both of his shoes wet in the surf and bury himself under stones. A few of the beach areas were closed for seal mating season. We only saw one seal in the water at any of the beaches.
Walk around town and Lunch
The Cliff Walk is south of town center. Driving back to town, we parked at the southern start of the shops at the corner of Summer Hill and Castle Street. Walking north, we took in the shops looking for lunch and touring the massive toy store Hopkins. For lunch, we went to Earls Shop and Cafe at the north end of town. Michelle and I have been here before. We picked it, knowing they have toilets the kids can use; we need a potty break. Khaleesi and Roxi are not interested in food here. Michelle took them to SuperValue. BLT bagel for Mila, Cajan Chicken wraps for me and Maddex, and Turkey pesto sun-dried tomato ciabatta for Michelle. Mila made the call to eat, sitting on a bench in the shade of an umbrella on the walk back to the car at the skate park. Brilliant call on her part, as there was no shade at the skate park. Khaleesi had nothing to do with the lunch she selected at SuperValue. Michelle walked her across the street and found a chipper to buy chips.
Before we sat to eat, we checked out Bridge Street Books. Owned by relatives of the Hamilton family we lived with in between houses a few years ago. Impressive selection in the bookshop. I bought a book listing Wild Swimming Spots in Ireland – The Complete Book of Wild Swimming Ireland – I miss freshwater swimming. In the states, most lakes near anything are surrounded by houses, and some of those have public access. Lakes in Ireland do not seem to be set up the same way. There are not many lake houses or lake swimming areas here. Growing up with family lake houses spoiled me for life. Hoping this book helps us discover some fresh water swimming.
Skate park and beach
We drove to the north end of town on the coast and parked at a combination skate park, playground, and BMX park; The Murrough Playground. Before the girls donned rollerblades to skate in the park, we walked over to ensure they wanted to. Mila and Khaleesi did – Roxi and Maddex ran in and out of the skate bowl at the park. After skating, Mila and Kaheelsi went for a swim in the waves while Maddex, Roxi, and I played in the rocks. Michelle managed to get some writing sitting in the breakwater. Amazing day.
