Avoca

Even though it’s only an hour from Dublin, Avoca is a town where visitors feel like they’ve traveled back 400 years. Much of that feeling can be attributed to the historic Mill at Avoca Village, which has been weaving rugs, throws and scarves since 1723. Today, Avoca Handweavers is renowned throughout Ireland for their woven women’s clothing, and in addition to being Ireland’s oldest mill, is also considered to be the oldest business still operating in Ireland today. The multi-generational business aside, Avoca village is so visually charming that’s it been chosen as the set for numerous movies and local Irish television. When strolling the pastel-cottage lined streets—which themselves are backed by rolling green hills that define the Irish landscape—you truly feel that you’ve left the city for an authentic Irish village. It’s little wonder, given its beauty, that Avoca is a popular weekend getaway or long day trip from Dublin, and a place where shopping for hand-woven scarves, or lingering at a cozy café, form simple, relaxing ways to spend time in the pristine countryside of Ireland.

Practical Info

Avoca is located approximately one hour from Dublin by car or bus. There is currently no train service to Avoca Village, and some tour packages will combine Avoca with a trip to the Wicklow Mountains.