TWO WEEKS IN
Wicklow, Ireland
Next, I made my way to Dublin, hoping to get closer to the UK once my visa was sorted. But just a few days after arriving, I learned I’d need to return to Vienna to continue the visa process. Before heading back, I spent a week in a small seaside town called Wicklow — a place you might recognise from Taylor Swift’s ‘Sweet Nothing‘, Joe Alwyn filmed a scene for the TV series, Conversations With Friends, here. The county is also home to Hozier.
During my stay, I pet-sat two dogs and a cat, which gave me the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy the rhythm of the Irish countryside. I explored nearby forests, beaches, and hills, and made some lovely new friends along the way. As someone with Irish roots — my third great-grandfather immigrated from County Donegal to New Zealand — it felt meaningful to spend time in the land of my ancestors.
Whilst in Ireland, I travelled to Dublin for a few day trips. After walking down the main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, I visited the famous Trinity College. Known for being the oldest and most prestigious university in Ireland, it was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. It has a long tradition of academic excellence and is consistently ranked among the top universities in Europe. The university has educated many notable figures, including Oscar Wilde, Mary Robinson (the first female President of Ireland), and Douglas Hyde (the first President of Ireland).
Trinity’s campus is a quiet, elegant contrast to the hustle of central Dublin — with cobblestone squares, classical buildings, and a sense of stepping back in time.
Next, I walked past Temple Bar, before revelling in the literary beauty and history of Marsh’s Library. It felt like stepping into my dream library: dark wooden shelves, rolling ladders, and first editions tucked into every corner. I could’ve spent hours there. Opened in 1707, Marsh’s Library was the first public library in Ireland. It holds over 25,000 rare books, including early printed works on science, medicine, theology, law, and travel — many in their original bindings. There are first editions by Newton, Galileo, and Shakespeare.
I then visited Christ Church Cathedral, one of Dublin’s oldest and most impressive medieval buildings, with its soaring Gothic architecture and intricate stained glass.
I spent time in Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed parks in any European capital and walked through the bustling St. Stephen’s Green.
At George’s Street Arcade, I browsed through quirky stalls and vintage treasures.
Whilst in Dublin, I also picked up my partner from the airport, who had flown from New Zealand to move abroad with me – the same Kiwi boy I met back in Vancouver. I was over the moon to be reunited with him.
Back in Wicklow, I immersed myself in nature with the dogs. One morning, we visited Magheramore Beach for sunrise, which was very serene.
I was lucky enough to meet the local wild ponies at Ballyguile Beg, who were so tame we could pat them, and they followed us over the hills.
I walked through Devil’s Glen Wood, Cullen Wood, hiked up Ballymaghroe, and explored the inland lake of Tinakelly Murragh. The dogs absolutely loved it.
While in Wicklow town, I explored Black Castle, a historic ruin with origins dating back to the 13th century. Built by the Normans, the castle once served as a coastal defense and a symbol of Norman power in the region. Over the centuries, it saw various sieges and conflicts, eventually falling into ruin. Though only fragments of the walls remain today, the site offers a tangible connection to Ireland’s medieval past and the turbulent history of Viking raids, Norman invasions, and local resistance along the east coast.
About an hour from Wicklow, we visited Avondale House and Forest Park to try the Treetop Walk. I’d done a similar walk before in Rotorua, New Zealand, but this one was on a much larger scale and truly impressive. The highlight was the vertical spiral walkway at the end, offering panoramic views of the vast surrounding forest and countryside. Although it was raining during my visit — making the air chilly — the wet weather made the greens even more vibrant, adding to the atmosphere of the park.
On the way home, we stopped at the National Botanical Gardens, Kilmacurragh, another beautiful spot to admire natural Irish beauty. The gardens are home to 15,000 different plant species from around the world, including a remarkable collection of rare and exotic trees, shrubs, and flowers. Its mild coastal climate allows many plants to thrive that wouldn’t usually grow in other parts of Ireland, making it a unique and diverse botanical site.
My time in Ireland was amazing – full of natural beauty, stunning sites and historical buildings, even if often wrapped in that classic Irish grey weather. I’m already looking forward to returning someday, and hopefully exploring the county where my ancestors came from.