Official Starting Point of the Wicklow Way
Marlay Park
Marlay Park is a 121 hectares (300 acres) suburban public park located in Rathfarnham in the administrative area of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, in County Dublin, Ireland. Lying about nine kilometers (5.5 miles) from Dublin city centre (click here for directions). The parkland comprises woodlands, ponds and walks.
Dublin County Council acquired the land in 1972 and developed it as a regional park. Opened in 1975, it is now administered by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The park’s name is commonly misspelled as Marley.
Marlay House
Marlay House was built by Thomas Taylor and was known as ‘The Grange’. David La Touche, first governor of the newly established Bank of Ireland acquired and extended the house in 1764 and renamed it for his wife Elizabeth Marlay.
Marlay Park is the official starting point, of the 132 km Wicklow Way an Irish long distance walking trail, that begins at the car park adjacent to Marlay House. The trail wanders through the delightful sylvan surroundings of the park, before tunneling under the M50 motorway to begin its first ascent southwards towards the Dublin hills and the first of several forest vistas on its way southward over the Wicklow Mountains to Clonegal, County Carlow. The Wicklow Way website estimates that walkers should allow 7 hours for the first 21-km section to Knockree.Click to view slideshow.
