Fred Verdier of Wicklow tourism, how does it work? You can purchase the passport online at visitweekclub.ie/passport for two euros. It’s not a money-making exercise; we just want to cover the cost of sending the passport. We don’t want to give it for free because we want people to value the experience and make the most of what they’re going to get. After purchasing the passport, it will be sent to your home within two to three days. Then, you can go online and start planning your own tour to start collecting the passport stamps. When visiting these towns and villages, check the website to see which businesses are providing stamps. It’s recommended to call ahead to make sure the businesses are open to avoid any disappointment.
There are four different routes you can choose from.
- The East Coast route includes Bray, Greystones, Ashford, Wicklow Town, Arklow, Brittas Bay, and Arklow.
- The second route is the South Wicklow route, which includes Avoca, Aughrim, Tinahealy, Shillelagh, and Carnew.
- The West Wicklow route includes Blessington, Ballyknockan, Glasson, Dunlavin, Hollywood, and Blessington.
- The Wicklow Mountains route includes Enniskerry, Roundwood, Glendalough, Laragh, Rathdrum, and Newtownmountkennedy.
So it’s just a matter of, you know, if you have half a day, how many places can you fit in within half a day? If you have a full day, how many can you fit in within a full day? It’s not about rushing; it’s about experiencing as well. At each destination, there’s an opportunity to visit something, do something, have a bite to eat, or even spend another night somewhere. We didn’t reinvent the wheel. If you’ve done the Camino in Spain, you’ll be familiar with a sort of passport system where you get stamps certifying that you’ve been to various locations along the trail. We’ve taken that idea and created a Wicklow version with 23 stamps representing towns and villages around Wicklow. Our aim is to invite people to stamp their way through the county.
You might expect everyone to get the Glendalough, Bray, or Enniskerry stamp, which are the top destinations, but this is a great opportunity to showcase lesser-known destinations within Wicklow. If you want to get the Shillelagh stamp, you’ll have to go down to Shillelagh and see where the famous Shillelagh stick comes from. We carefully chose the 23 stamps to represent all major towns and villages in Wicklow, making it an inclusive list.
There was some debate over which places would make the Wicklow list, but ultimately, we wanted to ensure representation of all major towns and villages. Some stamps represent two towns or villages, like Kilcoole and Newcastle on the east coast, with the stamp showcasing the bird sanctuary on the coast. Each stamp design was carefully thought out to raise awareness and encourage exploration. For example, the Bray stamp features the iconic bandstand and Bray Head in the background. Adapting the designs to fit within a circular stamp shape required some creativity, but we are happy with the final designs for each stamp.
I think we currently have 110 stamping locations around the county, but that number is expected to grow. Due to COVID restrictions and businesses reopening, we have been somewhat limited. Our objective is to have several options in each town and village where you can obtain the local stamp. We began promoting the passport in April and have received over 200 orders, with each order typically including three passports. Families are purchasing stamps for themselves, their children, and various friends and relatives, encouraging people to explore the county.
The basic prize is that if you collect 15 or more stamps, you become a Wicklow Ambassador. As an ambassador, you receive a certificate and a neck warmer featuring all the stamps. We are also working with businesses to turn the passport into a loyalty card, offering discounts or other incentives to ambassadors. This is the next phase of the project, aiming to make the passport an essential part of visitors’ Wicklow experience. Collecting all 23 stamps, or even just 15, would be challenging in one day, encouraging visitors to return or stay overnight in Wicklow.
We are collaborating with walking companies to include the passport in their packages, allowing visitors to collect stamps during their stays. For example, Kilasmanagh Caravan Park is interested in incorporating the passport into their holiday offerings. Our main focus this year is on domestic visitors, but we believe the passport can be integrated into existing packages for overseas tourists as well.
In terms of success metrics, last year we sold over 300 passports in a short period of time. Our goal is to receive a minimum of 100 orders per month, which would be a great indicator of success. The passport features stamps from various locations, with plans to expand to the east coast, including Bray’s seafront, Sea Life, Kilruddery Gardens, Bray Head, and other attractions.
I take a trip along the coast to Greystones, where the highlights include the cliff walk, dining options, shopping, and the charming towns of Kilcoole and Newcastle. There’s also the bird sanctuary along the coast. Further along, I visit Ashford with its beautiful Mount Usher Gardens and Avoca. Wicklow Town offers historical sites like the jail, the cliff walk, and the picturesque Murrough beach. Redcross and Brittas Bay provide beach and golf experiences, while Arklow boasts coastal views, golf options, delicious food, and the Maritime Museum.
Moving onto the Southern Wicklow route, I explore Avoca known for its weavers and Ballykissangel fame, the scenic Valley, the famous Meetings of the Waters, the Avoca Mines, and the charming village of Tinahely with its warm welcome and local farm experiences. Sheila offers unique attractions like the iconic Stick, the chocolate factory, Rathgall Hillfort, and more historical landmarks. Baltinglass is a heritage town with significant historic sites like the abbey.
Next, on the West Wicklow route, Donard features the Glen of Imaal, Michael Dwyer’s Cottage linked to the 1798 Rebellion, and the Piper Stone in Hollywood. Hollywood showcases St. Kevin’s Way, Dundeer offers golfing and a quaint market town, while Blessington is known for its scenic lake, Greenway, and outdoor activities by the River Avon.
The final mountain route includes Enniskerry with its stunning gardens and famous film locations, Roundwood with its picturesque Lough Tay and scenic lakeside walk, Laragh, home to the iconic Glendalough, and the exciting film shooting location of Glenmalure. Continuing down to Rathdrum with its various attractions like Avondale House, Kilmacurragh Gardens, holiday parks, and outdoor offerings. The journey wraps up in Newtownmountkennedy, known for its drinks scene with Wicklow Wolf Brewery, Wicklow Way Wines distillery, and even alpaca experiences in the hills. Early feedback indicates that this project has the potential to captivate people’s imaginations.
