Soon after leaving Arklow on the R747 you’ll be driving up a wooded valley, created by the Avoca stream. This is an enchanted landscape - you pass gatehouses straight from a fairy tale, Gothic churches and ruins of mysterious castles can be glimpsed on the hillsides.
Actually none of this is as medieval as it seems. The gatehouses and churches are Victorian creations, built in a mock-medieval style. And those "castles" you see have slim turrets that are in reality chimneys - the romantic ruins are former copper mines. Copper mining is dead these days. Apparently a heritage site is to be created, but apart from some rusty machinery further exposed to the elements nothing much seems to be on show.At Woodenbridge switch to the R752, signposted Avoca.
When you finally reach the village of Avoca, cross the river and explore. This picturesque hamlet rose to fame as a typical Irish village called "Ballykissangel" in the BBC series of the same name. And years after the programme was axed the fame still lingers.
But today Avoca's major claim to fame is Avoca Handweavers, where you can see traditional weaving, buy traditional products and have a traditional cup of tea. Drop in for a look-see, preferably when not too many tour buses are parked outside.
After this, rejoin the main road and carry on uphill on the R752 towards the Meeting of the Waters.
