Overview & History
Enniskerry (Irish: Áth na Sceire, meaning “rocky ford”) is a compact, purpose-built village of around 2,000 residents set in a lush valley at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. Situated on the Glencullen River, roughly 20 km south-south-west of Dublin city centre, the village is accessed via the R117 – locally known as “The Twenty-One Bends” for its winding descent into the valley.
Unlike many Irish settlements that grew organically over centuries, Enniskerry was deliberately laid out in the 1840s as a planned estate village for tenants of the Powerscourt Demesne. The original buildings were designed in a neo-Tudor style, giving the central square its distinctive Victorian charm. In 1861, Mervyn Wingfield, 7th Viscount Powerscourt, commissioned Saint Patrick’s Church to serve the Protestant population, replacing an earlier chapel. This period also saw extensive landscaping of the adjacent estate grounds. Today, the village retains its historic layout while functioning as a vibrant community with strong ecumenical ties between the Roman Catholic parish of St Mary and the Church of Ireland parish of St Patrick.
Exploring the Village Square
The village square remains the social and commercial heart of Enniskerry. Lined with mock-Tudor shopfronts, it hosts a selection of independent boutiques and heritage stores. Avoca Handweavers operates a popular store and terrace café here, offering traditional Irish crafts, knitwear, and light meals. Nearby, the Enniskerry Antiques Gallery, Corner Studio, and Botanical Art Gifts provide opportunities for unique souvenir hunting.
Dining options are concentrated around the square. Poppies Café is a local favourite for homemade breakfasts and lunches, while Emilia’s serves Italian specialities. For a more substantial meal or a pint after a day out, the Enniskerry Inn offers award-winning gastro-pub fare in a cosy, fireside setting.
Powerscourt Estate, Gardens & Waterfall
The undisputed highlight of the area is the Powerscourt Estate. Spanning 47 hectares, the estate features an 18th-century Palladian house (rebuilt after a devastating 1974 fire), formal Italian terraces, a Japanese garden, and a historic pet cemetery. The gardens cascade down towards Triton Lake, framed by statues and mature planting, with sweeping views of the Great Sugar Loaf.
A short drive south leads to Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in Ireland at 121 metres. Set at the foothills of the mountains, the waterfall plunges into the River Dargle. A well-maintained path crosses the river for different viewing angles, and the surrounding woodland is a haven for wildlife including Sika deer, red squirrels, and various bird species. Picnic areas and a seasonal kiosk make it a popular family stop. Note that midges can be persistent in summer, so insect repellent is highly recommended.
On-site, the Powerscourt Distillery produces Fercullen single-malt whiskey. Guided tours are available, offering insights into the distillation process and a tasting of their award-winning spirits.
A Cinematic History
Enniskerry’s picturesque square and surrounding landscape have attracted filmmakers for decades. It served as a stand-in for medieval England in Laurence Olivier’s Henry V (1944), which employed over 800 local extras during World War II. More recently, the village was transformed into a fairytale setting for Disney’s Disenchanted (2022), with temporary cobblestones, floral garlands on the clock tower, and fictional shopfronts drawing thousands of curious visitors during the shoot. The square also featured in Leap Year (2010), P.S. I Love You (2007), and the BBC drama Ballykissangel. Film enthusiasts can still spot traces of these productions, and the area remains a popular backdrop for location scouts.
Walking & Outdoor Adventures
Enniskerry is a natural gateway to the Wicklow Mountains and serves as a key base for hikers tackling sections of the Wicklow Way. Just north of the village, the Knocksink Wood Nature Reserve offers a tranquil walk among sessile oak and mixed woodland, notable for its extensive springs and one of Ireland’s most diverse woodland invertebrate populations. The reserve is open dawn to dusk year-round, though it closes on bank-holiday weekends unless a group booking is arranged.
For more challenging terrain, the surrounding mountains offer numerous trails:
- Crone Woods to Maulin – A moderate loop weaving through mixed woodland with occasional glimpses of the valley and waterfall.
- Kippure Circuit – A climb to 757 m on the Dublin-Wicklow border, offering panoramic views (note: avoid western approaches near army firing ranges).
- Lough Tay & Djouce – A scenic route to the emerald-green “Guinness Lake” and up to Djouce (725 m) for classic valley outlooks.
The area is also popular with cyclists, with gentle forest tracks suitable for families and steeper mountain roads for experienced riders. Golfers can play two championship courses at Powerscourt Golf Club, set against dramatic mountain backdrops.
Practical Information
Getting There
- By Bus: Dublin Bus route 44 runs hourly from the city centre (via O’Connell St, Dundrum, Sandyford, and Kilternan), taking roughly an hour. Go-Ahead Ireland route 185 operates every 30 minutes between Bray, Enniskerry, and Powerscourt.
- By Train: The nearest station is Bray (8 km east), served by DART services from Dublin Connolly and InterCity trains to Wexford and Rosslare.
- By Car: Follow the M11/N11 southbound, exit onto the R117 at Kilroney Cross, and follow the river valley. Free parking is available in the village square and at the Powerscourt Estate car park, but spaces fill quickly on summer weekends.
Accommodation
Enniskerry offers a range of options from luxury country houses to budget-friendly hostels:
- Summerhill House Hotel – A 4-star property with 53 rooms, spa, and wheelchair-accessible rooms.
- The Arch House – Heritage-style one-bedroom apartments with private patios and a fully accessible ground-floor unit.
- The Enniskerry Inn – Gastro-pub with six en-suite bedrooms, ideal for walkers.
- Knockree Youth Hostel – Located on the Wicklow Way, offering dorms, family rooms, a honeymoon suite, and a large dining hall.
Visitor Tips
- Powerscourt Waterfall and House & Gardens operate on separate ticketing and opening hours. Check the official estate website before visiting, as seasonal variations apply.
- The village experiences high footfall on summer weekends and bank holidays. Arriving early or visiting mid-week ensures easier parking and a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Mobile coverage is reliable, with 4G available from Eir and Vodafone, and 5G from Three across the village and approach roads.
- Dogs are welcome at the waterfall and on most walking trails, but must be kept on a lead.
Plan your visit around a morning walk to the waterfall, a leisurely lunch in the square, and an afternoon exploring the formal gardens or a local hiking loop. The estate’s visitor centre and the waterfall kiosk both provide up-to-date trail conditions and seasonal event information.