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HOW TO REACH POWERSCOURT DISTILLERY
Located on Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Powerscourt Distillery is easily accessible by car at just 25km from Dublin City Centre (40km from Dublin Airport).
THE DISTILLERY, POWERSCOURT ESTATE, ENNISKERRY, CO. WICKLOW, A98 A9T7
VIA CAR
Less than 1 hour from Dublin, via N11.
GPS/SATNAV: 53.184250 -6.190791
VIA TAXI
Taxi service available – pre-booking necessary.
Taxi can also be arranged from Bray Dart Station.
VIA BUS
Dublin Bus: Bus route 44. The bus trip from Dublin city center to Enniskerry Village takes approximately 45 minutes.
Known in native Gaelic tongue as “FeraCulann” or Fercullen, it is located in the foothold of the Wicklow mountains, close to Dublin. “O’Cualann” the Irish name of the Sugarloaf mountain, the iconic landmark of the area. The outline of the mountain forms the centrepiece of the Powerscourt Distillery logo and the home of Fercullen Irish Whiskey. Fercullen is the native Irish name for the old Celtic territory of land which stretched from Dublin city across the Wicklow mountains. Over the centuries, the size of the Territory of Fercullen receded to the current footprint of the Powerscourt Estate.
Ownership has been claimed by many over the centuries, from the native Clans of O’Toole and O’Byrne, to the Norman house of LePoer (who built a castle here and from whom the Estate takes its name).
In the early 17th century Powerscourt was gifted by Queen Elizabeth I to a favoured army general, Sir Richard Wingfield. The nearby village of Enniskerry came into being as a part of the Powerscourt Estate to house tenants who worked the land in the area. The magnificent Palladian mansion Powerscourt House was commissioned by Richard Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt (1697-1751). Designed by Richard Cassels, it was destroyed by fire in 1974, and remained as a shell until extensive restorations were carried out in 1996.
Plan Your Visit
DESTINATION LOCATION
Powerscourt Estate
POWERSCOURT ESTATE, GARDENS & WATERFALL
Powerscourt Distillery is set is one of the most beautiful estates in Ireland. Apart from the world renowned gardens, the 5 star hotel and 2 championship golf courses, it also claims to have Ireland’s highest waterfall.
With 121m of cascading water, Powerscourt waterfall is located in the beautiful parkland at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains.
Just a short stroll down the drive….and you will discover Powerscourt Hotel, a Palladian style palace which brings together natural beauty and dignified accommodations to offer its guests an unforgettable retreat.
Home to two Championship Golf Courses, which meanders through the 1,000 acre Powerscourt Estate, featuring wonderful views of the Wicklow Hills and Irish sea as well as a variety of challenging holes.
Enniskerry Village
ENNISKERRY
Enniskerry Village (Ath na Sceire ‘Ford of the Stones’) was built as part of Powerscourt Estate to house its tenants who worked the land in the area. The village was designed and laid out by the architect Frederick Darragh. Subsequently, the village changed rapidly after the arrival of the railway to Bray in 1854.
The Town Clock was built, at the expense of the 6th Viscount Powerscourt, to commemorate the centenary of the creation of first Viscount in 1743. The monument was presented to the Village on St. Patrick’s Day 1843. An interesting feature of the monument is that its base is shamrock shaped. There was a massive tree at the bottom of the Town Clock steps until the 1920s as can be seen in old photos of the square.
The village school house opposite the Town Clock was built in 1818 and was being used as the local Church of Ireland National School until 2013. The nearby house, ‘Ferndale’, built c.1850, served as the School Master’s house. Until the 1970s there were two big Cedar trees in front of the school.
The Protestant population of the village attended church in the grounds of the Powerscourt Demesne until 1859. Mervyn Wingfield, 7th Viscount Powerscourt, built a new church, Saint Patrick’s, overlooking the village which was completed two years later in 1861 at a cost of £3441 9s 2d. St Mary’s Catholic Church was built in 1859 by Fr. Thomas O’Dwyer on a site provided by the Powerscourt Estate. Prior to this date there was no Catholic Church in Enniskerry and Mass was celebrated in a barn that was made available by a Mrs. Dixon. Once the Church was completed the parish of “The Immaculate Heart of Mary” was constituted and Fr. O’Dwyer became its first parish priest. Up to that time he was the local curate within the parish of Bray.
Knocksink Bridge
Knocksink Bridge was built in 1859 and was, at one time, the highest bridge in Ireland. During the Second World War holes were drilled in the bridge in order to blast it with dynamite in case of invasion.
The Bray and Enniskerry Railway was proposed in the 19th century, to link the town to Bray. Some initial work was carried out, including building a bridge to carry the railway over Dublin Corporation’s Vartry watermain. Wicklow County Council recently removed much of the railway embankment in road widening, but left the bridge, which is directly opposite the ornate bridge carrying the watermain over the Cookstown River, a tributary of the River Dargle. The plan ran into financial difficulties, and the rails were lifted and sold off.
There was a plan to bring a railway line to Enniskerry in the 1840s but this came to nought due to lack of funds. The embankment and other elements of the works were still visible until recent times. The bridge along the R117 from Bray was built then to protect the water main which comes from Roundwood and brings water to south Dublin. While Enniskerry has changed over the years it still retains its Victorian character which gives the village its unique charm.
Enniskerry
ACTIVITIES
Whether you are living, working or visiting Enniskerry, there is a great variety of activities to entice and engage you. Enniskerry is a particularly great place for anyone who likes outdoor sports including golf, hill-walking, horse riding, and tennis.
Co. Wicklow
WIDER WICKLOW EXPERIENCES
County Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland contains many unique and exciting locations, experiences and activities. Please click on the link below for up-to-date information.