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The one where we stayed in a lighthouse

This post is a bit of a break from my normal type of update, and features no DIY whatsoever! It is house/home related though so I had to share.

The one where we stayed in Wicklow Lighthouse

 

I recently fell in love with a house. A lighthouse to be precise. My lovely boyfriend Nick and I recently returned to Ireland (I’m from there, he’s not) to visit some family and friends. We decided to drive because I couldn’t bear to leave my dog, Ted, behind, and because there are so many beautiful places to walk in Ireland it didn’t seem fair for him to miss out on them.

We wanted to spend a couple of days in Wicklow, which if you don’t know, is south of Dublin and full of luscious green mountains, clear lakes and some of the most breath-taking scenery you might ever come across.

 

Glendalough, Wicklow
Glendalough, Wicklow

 

A quick Google search for “dog friendly Wicklow” came up with Wicklow Head lighthouse; an actual lighthouse that you can stay in, with sea views from three sides! We booked two nights to stay in Wicklow Head Lighthouse and it’s genuinely one of the best places I’ve ever been!

 

Wicklow Lighthouse
Wicklow Head Lighthouse

 

The lighthouse is owned by the Irish Landmark Trust, who maintains it and rents it out. It’s just two miles outside of Wicklow town. I couldn’t contain my excitement as we rounded a corner and spotted it in the distance, peeking up in front of the Irish Sea!

 

Lighthouse
I was so excited at this point!

 

We opened the gates and drove right up to the gorgeous red front door.

 

Wicklow Head Lighthouse

 

Wicklow Head Lighthouse

 

Inside the red lighthouse door
Inside the red lighthouse door

 

Just inside the door, we found the hallway and the first of the 109 steps that spiral all the way around and up to the very top.

 

109 steps!
109 steps!

 

Up another floor was the first bedroom, which reminded me of my Nana’s house; really warm and cosy looking. It had a subtle floral style, and a chair next to the window so you could look out at the amazing view across the Irish sea.

 

Looking out the window with Ted
Looking out the window with Ted

 

After climbing one more floor, we found the bathroom, which had a slight country cottage feel, with a wood panelled bath. As soon as I saw it, I knew I’d have to have a bath with a glass of wine in it – it’s not every day that you get to have a pamper session in a lighthouse!

 

Bathroom in a lighthouse!
Bathroom in a lighthouse!

 

Up again was the second bedroom, with a similar style to the last one. We chose this one to sleep in because it was slightly higher up and so felt a bit more exciting!

 

Top bedroom
Top bedroom

 

Window seat
Window seat

 

Spot the nosy dog!
Spot the nosy dog!

 

Lighthouse living room

One more floor up, we found the living room. It had a real nautical theme, with paintings of ships on the wall. The walls of the lighthouse are incredible thick, so the window ledges are over a metre deep! They’d been upholstered with some padded cushions so you could sit in the window and look out over the sea views.

 

Lighthouse living room
Lighthouse living room

 

There were even fresh flowers waiting for us!
There were even fresh flowers waiting for us!

 

Aerial view of the living room
Aerial view of the living room

 

Ted in the living room
Ted in the living room

 

The lighthouse kitchen!

One more flight of stairs and we had reached the kitchen. It was small but perfectly equipped, with the most incredible views on all sides. We decided to bring our own food and wine and stay in for the two nights, since the area is quite remote. A great idea in theory, but you’ll get a great workout carrying bottles of wine up all 109 steps! Luckily, on your way up there are lots of places to stop and take in the incredible views.

 

A small but perfectly equipped kitchen
A small but perfectly equipped kitchen

 

Dining table, and more fresh flowers!
Dining table, and more fresh flowers!

 

The lighthouse ceiling in the kitchen
The lighthouse ceiling in the kitchen

 

Ted taking a break halfway up the lighthouse stairs
Ted taking a break halfway up the stairs

 

Once we’d settled in, we went for a walk around the local area. We followed a lovely winding path from the lighthouse down to the sea.

 

Dog exploring lighthouse
Ted, exploring

 

There’s a beach nearby that’s famous for its seals that can regularly be seen swimming there, but unfortunately we didn’t see any. But the beach was gorgeous: deserted and peaceful.

 

Gorgeous Irish beach
Gorgeous Irish beach

 

After we’d stretched our legs, we stretched them a little more climbing back up to the kitchen to cook some dinner. It was absolutely idyllic, cooking at the top of a lighthouse, drinking wine and listening to Billie Holiday, while Nick looked out the windows at the wild rabbits hopping around outside and Ted snoozed on the kitchen floor, absolutely knackered after all the steps! The next day we made some lunch and set off to explore Glendalough, about half an hour’s drive from the lighthouse.

 

Waterfall at Glendalough
Waterfall at Glendalough

 

 

My parents came to stay for the second night. There’s no tv, no wifi and very little phone signal (which in all honesty was absolutely perfect) so we stayed in, drank wine, ate dinner and played a very competitive game of Uno (my mum’s a sore loser and an even worse winner!). After perfect clear blue skies on the first night, we had a storm on the second night, which was incredible to watch from up high in our cosy lighthouse!

 

The most amazing views

The most amazing views from Wicklow lighthouse
The most amazing views from Wicklow lighthouse

 

Sea view from the kitchen window
Sea view from the kitchen window

 

View from Wicklow Head Lighthouse
View from Wicklow Head Lighthouse

 

We had the best two nights at the lighthouse and days exploring the Wicklow mountains. Check out time came too soon, I would so gladly have stayed forever. If you’re looking for a once in a lifetime break that you’ll remember forever, I highly recommend it. I would gladly go back in a heartbeat! Just be prepared for a workout as you find your way around!

For more information on Wicklow Lighthouse or to book a stay there, check out Irish Landmark Trust.

 

Wicklow head lighthouse
Cheesy family photo with the lighthouse!

 

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Thanks for reading!

Karla

Turning a House into a Home

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