Set off super early (like 7.45) to try to avoid rush hour, getting out of Dublin…almost succeeded. Got onto the recommended route R115 to Sally Gap and Lough Tay….discovered it was KILOMETRES of unrelenting peat bog …..reminded me of travels through the centre of Scotland a few decades ago…similar vibes for me, HA! Tried to get a good ‘leading lines’ shot, still pretty boring…sorry!

As I descended one of the mountains, saw this beautiful valley view – mountain stream, lush green pastures, extensive forests particularly spruce and pine trees…

Anyway, got to Lough Tay…wow! Thank goodness….such a lovely lake surrounded by granite mountains, (privately owned by the Guiness Estate).

So I arrived in Annamoe village and thought….’I’m going to drive down some local roads ‘cos it looks gorgeous countryside and there may be cute cottages…’. Well, I came across this property, Glendalough House.

Started talking with a guy at the entrance gates…got the goss that they were filming ‘Drummer Boy’….a Revolutionary War set action-musical, directed by Ben and Joel David Smallbone ….with Joel Smallbone starring alongside Lucas Leach and Beth Easdown. Woo hoo, you got this scoop here first!

Glendalough House, has been involved with events connected with both sides in the struggle for Irish freedom. The house, originally Drummin, was built by the Hugo family before 1760. In 1798 it belonged to Thomas Hugo, a former high sheriff of Wicklow, a magistrate and firm government supporter. Hugo was notorious for his role in repressing the rebellion in Wicklow, the rebel leader Joseph Holt describing him as ‘a cruel and inhuman tyrant’; locals until recently pointed out ‘Hugo’s hanging tree’ in the demesne. In revenge, the house was burnt by the rebels on 14 June 1798. Thomas Hugo’s rebuilt 1800 house is to the right. Note the high level of the window-sill of the dining room (second window to the left of the door)—allegedly so that the Hugos could dine without fear of a rebel’s bullet. The former stable block is to the left. 

A couple of arresting images for me as I travelled along…the Great Sugar Loaf mountain (501m) in the background, lots of yellow gorse blossoming at the moment.

And my last stop for the day, the Powerscourt watersfall…121m of cascading water…set in beautiful parkland rich in local wildlife – in a perfect setting for a picnic. And you can hear the sound of the cascade for at least 150m. I had the opportunity to see the estate and gardens as well but given the busloads I saw heading in that direction, decided to finish.

Was pleased to see this cute cottage, named Killough House (with gorgeous yapper being let out for a play) on the way to the hotel.