Walking Holidays In Wicklow
Woodenbridge Slí na Sláinte
The Slí na Sláinte walk begins at Woodenbridge Hotel, which takes it's name from several timber bridges that were swept away by the flood of 1770 and replaced with the stone bridge. The old name 'Garnagowlan' means 'Garden of the river fork' describing the setting where the Avoca and Aughrim rivers meet. View the granite parapets where the train once passed on the way to Shillelagh, the remains of the station can be seen from the road, it was built in 1865. Pass by the Woodenbridge Golf Club which is the second oldest golf club in Ireland. The field beside the Golf Club is where John Redmond made his historic Woodenbridge speech in September 1914, whcih resulted in a split in home rule. Passing by the short stone walls, the words Sigfried / Maginot can be seen, this is a reminder of the past history when the Second World War dominated. The entrance on the left is for Avoca Manor which was built in 1919. On the left, the ancient graveyard and church of Castlemacadam that dates back to 1717, the new church was built in 1870. Walking under the mature mixed tree canopy you can view the fine specimen of 150 year old beech trees under Black Dog House. See the wide range of natural habitat, among which is the recently introduced Red Kite. These magnificent birds can often be seen over the Vale.
