About Avoca
The Avoca River Valley area and the Village of Avoca are set in the heart of Co.
Wicklow mid-way between the larger towns of Wicklow and Arklow. It is a very picturesque
valley with a colourful backdrop of deciduous forests which give it a colourful
appearance for 9 months of the year. Its beauty inspired the immortal words of the
poet Thomas Moore when he wrote about Avoca that:
"There is not in this wide world a valley so sweet as that vale in whose bosom the
bright waters meet"
Its beauty has been seen around the world in the scenic rural views shown on the
BBC TV series Ballykissangel, much of which was filmed in Avoca and the surrounding
area.
The scenically located Avoca village developed on a bridging point on the Avoca
river which winds its way lazily in a south-easterly direction in its floodplain
to the sea at Arklow. Architecturally, the old and the new blend well to make Avoca
one of the most interesting villages in Ireland. This small linear village has a
recently restored 19th century courthouse adjacent to the riverside park, the older
terraced shops and residences and the more recently constructed modern housing along
the roads which extend out from the main village.
The Avoca area has a rich heritage which is dominated by agriculture, mining, forestry
and tourism. The Avoca Handweavers, reputed to be the oldest weaving mill in Ireland,
has been weaving colourful and quality tweed garments for many years. It was started
in the last century because of the availability of wool supplied from the sheep
of the local farmers. The origins of the mining industry, which was mainly for copper,
dates back to the middle of the 18th century. The ruins of the old steam engine
houses and the few old slag heaps and open pits bear testament to a mining industry
which once flourished in the area. The evidence of the mining industry can be easily
seen along the lovely walks and drives around the area. The Avoca area is richly
covered with deciduous and coniferous forests. These surround the green pastures
for cattle and sheep and provide a colourful environment with picnic areas and forest
walks.
Miners in 1945, Avoca Copper Mines, Co Wicklow
Avoca Handweavers, Avoca Village - Ireland's Oldest Mill