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Penarwel Ballinaclash, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow the garden and the river
The garden and the river make Penarwel unique.
The garden was created after the house was built in the late 1970s in an open field. There are many now mature shrubs; winter flowering mahonia, spring flowering camellia, rhododendron and magnolia with fuchsia and hydrangea in the summer followed by spectacular colour from the acer in the autumn.
Snowdrops have naturalised under the birch trees to the side of the house which are replaced by wild garlic in profusion.
The garden at Penarwel runs down to the Avonbeg River which is quite stunning - some of the huge oak trees on the bank are reckoned to be over 300 years old and the ancient beech trees create dappled shade by the water. There are a number of paths that lead down to the river however the bank is steep. There is also a path that runs along most of the bank which is navigable but somewhat uneven in places and certainly not for those who are unsure of their balance.
The Avonbeg River (the 'small river') rises on the northern flank of Camenabologue in the Wicklow Mountains and flows southeast into the valley of Glenmalure.
The river continues southeast through the village of Greenan, past Penarwel and on to Ballinaclash before joining the Avonmore (the 'big river') at the Meeting of the Waters to form the River Avoca, which flows into the Irish Sea at Arklow.
There are two fly rods and a selection of flies available for guests who want to try their luck.
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