Powerscourt & Enniskerry
We had our rental car delivered directly to the
Westbury – always
a great trick to get on the road as quickly and smoothly as possible. Other car rental tip? Always say yes to a GPS! Ireland’s back country roads would be tricky to navigate on your own, and it’s SO worth exploring off the beaten highways.
We pulled up to Powerscourt Hotel, a 30-minute drive south of Dublin and just up the avenue from Powerscourt Estate, a grand Palladian Mansion with surrounding 18-20th century gardens. After dropping off our bags, we strolled over to the estate to enjoy our first taste of Irish nature. Take at least an afternoon to wander the fairytale landscape, or a full day to hike the country paths.
The evening brought a sprinkling of rain, quickly replaced by golden sunlight and a rainbow. One of the pleasures of visiting Ireland in the spring or summer is that the sun sets as much as an hour later than in Toronto, allowing evenings to stretch out deliciously.
The nearest village is Enniskerry, which can be explored on foot in about half an hour. Powerscourt Hotel offers a complimentary car service to and from town, a distinctly luxurious experience when riding in the back of their BMW 3 Series. Enniskerry provides a couple of laid-back restaurant options (Emilia’s Pizzeria is a great choice), but the hotel’s Sika Restaurant is a gourmet highlight not to be missed.
Virtu World Travel 