Avonmore River and Meeting of Waters

Overview

The Avonmore River (Irish: An Abhainn Mhór, meaning “the big river”, also known locally as Abhainn Dé) rises from Lough Dan in the Wicklow Mountains, just west of Roundwood. It flows south‑west for roughly 30 km, joining the Avonbeg at the celebrated Meeting of the Waters (Cumar an dá Uisce) near Avoca. From there the River Avoca continues east to the Irish Sea at Arklow. The river runs through the villages of Annamoe, Laragh and Rathdrum, skirting historic estates such as Avondale House, the childhood home of Irish nationalist Charles Stewart Parnell.

History & Background

The name Avonmore is a direct Anglicisation of the Irish An Abhainn Mhór – “the big river” – rather than the earlier suggestion of “river of the gods”. The valley was a centre of copper extraction for over two millennia; small‑scale mining began around 2 000 years ago and industrial‑scale operations ran from the 1760s until the early 1980s. Legacy acid‑mine drainage still affects water quality, but extensive restoration work is under way.

The 19th‑century poet Thomas Moore immortalised the confluence in his poem The Meeting of the Waters, cementing the site in Irish cultural memory. A lantern‑slide of the spot is held by the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (see RSAI collection entries BOX44_023).

The river’s upper catchment enjoys good ecological status, especially the Glenmacnass tributary, which includes the spectacular Glenmacnass Falls and runs alongside the historic Military Road. The lower Avonmore is rated ‘moderate‑to‑high’ by the EPA; the Waters of Life group monitors the sub‑catchment and runs restoration projects to meet EU Water Framework Directive targets.

Literary Heritage

Thomas Moore (1779‑1852) set his celebrated poem The Meeting of the Waters to the traditional air “The Old Head of Dennis”. First published in 1808, the verses made the Avoca valley famous worldwide:

There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet / As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet…

Moore’s poem was inspired by a visit in the summer of 1807 and quickly entered the Irish song‑book, becoming one of the most beloved of his “Irish Melodies”. The line‑by‑line quotations are displayed on bronze tablets at the interpretive park, allowing visitors to read the verses in the very place that inspired them.

Mining Heritage and Landscape

Copper mining shaped the Avonmore valley for two thousand years. The Avoca Mines – once a major copper and sulphur extraction complex – left a legacy of spoil heaps and altered river channels. Industrial mining peaked between the 1760s and the early 1980s, after which the mines were closed and a long‑term remediation programme began. Today, interpretation panels at the Meeting of the Waters explain the mining history and its environmental impact, while the Waters of Life group works to restore water quality and river habitats.

Conservation and Water Quality

The Avonmore sub‑catchment is monitored by the Waters of Life community group. A September 2024 update reported a ‘mixed’ water‑quality status: the upper reaches (near the Sally Gap) are rated moderate‑to‑high, while the Glenmacnass River enjoys a good status. Two sections of the Avonmore are flagged as at risk of not meeting EU Water Framework Directive objectives, prompting targeted restoration work on riverbanks, peatlands and former mining sites.

The group holds regular public meetings – for example, a session at Brockagh Resource Centre (7:30 pm) – where residents can hear progress reports and contribute to catch‑area management plans.

What to See & Do

Avonmore Way

A 12‑km waymarked trail (yellow “walking man”) links Laragh and Rathdrum, passing through the Clara Vale Nature Reserve – County Wicklow’s largest semi‑natural woodland. The route is graded easy, with modest elevation (200‑350 m). Highlights include:

• Nolan’s Bridge – early stone crossing.
• Samuel Hayes Bridge – 18th‑century single‑span pedestrian bridge framed by mature oak.
• Clara Vale boardwalks – raised paths close to the river and native flora.
• Suspension bridge near Rathdrum for a touch of adventure.
• Jackson’s Falls – a small cascade on the Avonmore River, accessible via a short side‑path.

Typical walk options (start‑end, distance, time):

Avondale House & Gardens

A short detour from the trail leads to the historic house. Visitors can explore period rooms, view Parnell artefacts and stroll the landscaped gardens that overlook the Avonmore.

Meeting of the Waters

Just 13 km inland from Arklow, the confluence offers a picture‑perfect vista. The interpretive park provides:

• Viewing platform – ideal for sunrise photography of the swirling waters.
• Bronze bust of Thomas Moore and stone tablets quoting his verses.
• Interpretive panels covering geology, copper‑mining heritage, and the Red Kite re‑introduction programme.
• Wheelchair‑accessible paths and a ramp; the site is open 24 hours, free of charge.

Nearby Attractions

• Avoca Handweaving Mill – a working textile mill and museum in the Avoca valley (Avoca Handweaving Mill).
• Glenmacnass Falls – a 20‑metre waterfall on the Glenmacnass River, reachable via a short walk from the Military Road.
• Avoca Village – browse the famous hand‑woven goods and enjoy riverside cafés (Avoca).

Practical Information

• Location: County Wicklow, East Ireland. Source at Lough Dan (≈ 52.9° N, 6.3° W); Meeting of the Waters near Avoca (52.8825 N, ‑6.2344 W).
• Access & Parking: The R755 runs through Laragh and Rathdrum. Parking is available at the Avonmore Way trailheads (Trooperstown and Hidden Valley Resort) and at the free car park beside the Meeting of the Waters interpretive park.
• Public Transport: Bus Éireann routes 133 and 133A link Dublin‑Wicklow‑Rathdrum and stop at Laragh and Avoca. The nearest train station is Wicklow (Iarnród Éireann), with onward bus connections.
• Opening Times: Avonmore Way is open year‑round. Avondale House operates seasonally (generally May‑September, 10:00‑17:00). The Meeting of the Waters park is free and open 24 hrs.
• Facilities: Public toilets at Avondale House, picnic tables at the Meeting of the Waters park, and a café at Hidden Valley Resort.
• Water Quality: Upper Avonmore enjoys good‑to‑moderate status; Glenmacnass is rated good. The Waters of Life group provides regular updates and runs restoration work on sections at risk.
• Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early autumn for full woodland colour and longer daylight; sunrise at the confluence offers spectacular light for photography.
• Safety & Accessibility: Trail is well‑marked but can be slippery after rain; sturdy shoes and water are recommended. Sections of the Avonmore Way are not wheelchair‑friendly, though the Meeting of the Waters area is fully accessible. Dogs are permitted on most of the trail but should be kept on a lead near wildlife, especially nesting Red Kites.

Enjoy a day that blends natural beauty, literary heritage and historic intrigue along the Avonmore River and its iconic Meeting of the Waters.