Discover Redcross: Food and Horse Riding

When looking for a hotel in Redcross, it is worth first deciding what kind of destination experience you are after: the village brings together brewery experiences, handmade products, horse-riding activities and local history. County Wicklow broadens the picture with its own landscapes, gardens and heritage sites. Redcross can therefore be considered as a destination in its own right or as part of wider travel plans for County Wicklow.

Local History and Things to Do in Redcross

Some ruins of the chapel remain on the former chapel site in Redcross. Redcross Church holds services and offers conversations for people of all ages. If you would like to attend a service or have a conversation, check directly for current times.

Brewery, Tastings and Handmade Products

Wicklow Brewery in Redcross is a microbrewery licensed to sell its own beer. It offers an intimate brewery tour followed by a beer tasting in the beer hall. There is also a beer and food tasting, with dishes matched to the beers. Tour and tasting details may change; check them in advance if you are planning your visit around them.

The draught beer selection includes seven varieties: Wicklow Helles, St Kevin’s Red Ale, Wicklow Weiss, WB-40 IPA, Hop Knut Pale Ale, Ginger Knut Beer and Black 16 Stout. As the selection may change, it is worth checking what is currently available. The Latin Quarter also combines handmade products with food and drink: it sells handcrafted goods and artisan foods, and also serves coffee, tea and freshly made wood-fired pizza. The selection and offering may change.

Horse Riding in Redcross

Oakwood Stables offers riding lessons for ponies and horses. The courses are suitable for beginners, intermediate and experienced riders; you do not need to have your own pony. The programme includes show jumping, eventing, dressage, games and stable management. Children’s instruction specialises in show jumping, eventing and pony club riding. The grounds also have a large, year-round riding arena.

Oakwood Stables riding holidays may also include guided walks in the hills. If you would like to plan this combination, confirm the arrangements directly with the provider. It is also advisable to contact Oakwood Stables for current lesson times.

County Wicklow: More Places to Visit When Planning Your Trip

The wider destination of County Wicklow has further attractions of its own. Glendalough was founded as a monastery in the 6th century by Saint Kevin. The surviving parts of the Monastic City include a round tower, numerous medieval stone churches and decorated crosses. Wicklow Mountains National Park covers 20,000 hectares and is an important recreational area for locals and visitors. The Wicklow Way was Ireland’s first waymarked long-distance trail; Wicklow also has more than 50 walking routes to choose from by length, location, type, theme and difficulty.

Gardens and historic landscapes are also part of County Wicklow’s character. Mount Usher Gardens extend over 22 acres along the River Vartry in the village of Ashford and are an example of Robinsonian-style planting. Nearby is the Avoca food market, with a selection of artisan foods. A monastery stood at Kilmacurragh in the 7th century; in 1996, a 21-hectare section of the former demesne became part of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. Rhododendron Week takes place there every April. Check the specific event dates before your trip.

For other kinds of outings, Beyond the Trees Avondale has a 1.4-kilometre treetop walk ending at a 38-metre-high viewing tower. From there, panoramic views extend across the Wicklow Mountains, the Avonmore River and the Vale of Avoca; a 90-metre spiral slide also leads down from the tower. Greenan Maze offers families mazes, museums and encounters with farm animals.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

When planning a stay that includes scheduled or changeable activities, checking the latest dates and details with the relevant providers is a useful basis for your plans.

Discover more destinations: Ashford, Aughrim, Tulfarris Holiday Village, Dunlavin, Shillelagh, Enniskerry, Avoca, Hollywood.

Go to the main travel overview: County Wicklow.