Cullens Cottage

Entering from the front or back of the cottage, you are immediately treated to the generous and stylish open-plan living space which is at the heart of this home; comprising of dining room, kitchen and seating area.

A full height, volume-ceiling enhances the airy impression, helped by a direct connection to the gravelled courtyard outside via large sliding doors in the dining area.

The unfussy kitchen has been smartly thought through, with a traditional Belfast sink and an informal coffee bar with high stools. An almost concealed wine cooler displays the pervasive attention to detail.

There is herringbone parquet flooring which features throughout, and a woodburning stove set into a formidable, roughly plastered chimney breast – a cosy backdrop for the TV.

Towering storage units at the opposite end of the space also conceal the laundry appliances.

At either end of the cottage, bookending the living area, are two elegant double bedrooms. Both enjoy awesome views of the rolling Wicklow landscape through windows buried deep into the thick walls.

The master bedroom is generous, with a luxurious chaise longue, and loads of storage space framing an alcoved window, with remote-controlled concealed roller blind – useful and theatrical.

The exquisitely tiled ensuite has handy ground level lighting, an impressive rainfall shower, and indulgent underfloor heating.

The second double bedroom has a somewhat smaller ensuite with pocket sliding glass doors, underfloor heating, and another dramatic monsoon shower.

High sumptuous beds furnish both rooms, while integrated USB phone chargers in the bedside lighting is a thoughtful contemporary element.

A handful of derelict buildings on the property have been expertly re-purposed and renovated. They remain autonomous although share an extensive gravelled courtyard and lawned area.

A paved patio notched into the South-West corner is a special place to enjoy a sundowner.The cottage is on an elevated site surrounded by stunning Wicklow scenery, with the legendary Wicklow Way trail passing just metres away.

The owners are keen cooks and are almost self-sufficient with their own organic produce as evident across the homestead, and which they are happy to share.

The affable owners also live in a cottage that shares the central courtyard – very handy for local information!

Kitchen Appliances

• Twin oven electric cooker
• 4 ring gas hob
• Undercounter fridge
• Twin drawer dishwasher
• Toaster
• Wine cooler

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Spin dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Sizes – Two King-size beds
• Hairdryer
• USB bedside chargers
• Underfloor heating in ensuites
• Remote operated blinds – master bedroom

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet
• Flat-screen TVs

• All about Glendalough
• Lunch in Laragh at Wicklow Heather
• Golf at Macreddin
• Learn to Flyfish
• Walk high among the trees at Avondale
• Dine out at Brooklodge
• Cycle around with Fatbike Adventures
• Splash around at Powerscourt Waterfalls
• Stroll around Ashford gardens
• Play a round at Druids Glen golf

• Some history lessons at Wicklow Gaol
• Forage for your food
• Go Mountain Biking in Ballinastoe
• Get into a sweater from the Woollen Mills
• get a hole in one at Powerscourt Golf Club
• Enjoy the food at The Hungry Monk
• Kayak along the Vartry

Walks in Wicklow

Trail Maps

The cottage is a ten-minute walk from Roundwood Village which has five pubs all offering a different experience, and a grocery shop. The village is always lively as it is a popular stop off for visitors to and from Glendalough.

The two lakes bordering the town make up the Vartry Reservoir which supplies some 80 million litres of drinking water per day to South County Dublin. There are a number of walking trails around the lakes.

The distinctive Wicklow landscape is the result of glacial erosion, during the last ice age some 11,700 years ago, glaciers formed corries and carved deep valleys, leaving a legacy of glacial lakes, huge granite boulders and rocky debris throughout the mountains.

Walking and trekking is the predominant visitor activity in this neck of the woods, and The Wicklow Way, snaking from the suburbs of Dublin and into County Carlow, is the oldest and busiest long-distance walking trail in Ireland. It is 127 km long, and typically takes between 5 and 7 days to complete – most hikers just do a section.

Nearly as popular as hill walking is cycling, and one of the most popular routes is across the Sally Gap – the highest point along what is known as the Military Road. Originally constructed by the British army at the start of the 19^th century, the road affords spectacular views of upland blanket bog, and is the backdrop to many a movie.

Glendalough just a ten-minute drive down the valley has a deep and stunning glacial lake. The location is famous for its 30m high Rapunzel round tower and the 6^th century remains of a monastery founded by St Kevin. Unsurprisingly, there are many walking trails around Glendalough, colour-coded for difficulty.

Slightly further away Glemalure is the perfect start for a trip up Lugnaquilla. At 925m, it is the highest mountain in Ireland outside of County Kerry. With no signposted route up this mountain and weather that can change in minutes, appropriate clothing, efficient map-reading skills and ability to navigate with a compass are essential.

A day trip to Powerscourt Demesne in Enniskerry is worthwhile. The house was transformed from a medieval castle into a 68 room Palladian mansion by the 1st Viscount Powerscourt in 1741. It has magnificent gardens, a golf course and even a luxury hotel and spa on the grounds. The estate is also home to Ireland’s highest waterfall at 121m. with separate gates some 6km from the main house.

If you want to explore Dublin City, like many locals, you can catch the train (DART) from the busy village of Greystones just ten minutes away, with its marina and beaches, and abundant restaurants to return to. Plus the trip around the headlands and bays is very scenic – avoid rush hour.