Powerscourt Waterfall
Powerscourt Waterfall
Powerscourt Waterfall
4
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland's highest at 121m (398ft). It is set in North County Wicklow just outside Enniskerry Village. The magnificent Waterfall cascades down over the granite rocks from the peatlands above. The crystal clear water flows down to the river below where it continues on its journey out to sea at Bray. The valley itself was carved out by a glacier during the ice age! Today Powerscourt is a haven for some of Ireland's wildlife, flora and fauna. The Sikka deer were first introduced here by Lord Powerscourt in 1858. The Waterfall is best seen just after heavy rain and the sheer volume of water and noise is certainly a sight to behold. The Waterfall is an ideal location for summer picnics and barbecues. There is a vast amount of space to keep children entertained. There is also a playground for younger children. Don't fret if you forget your picnic as there is a kiosk on site that serves everything from coffee and tea to hot-dogs and ice-cream. The kiosk is open everyday from the 1st June to the end of August and year round at weekends, if weather permits. There is ample car parking and toilet facilities at the waterfall. Dogs are welcome but they must be on a leash. Take time to explore the pathways that meander through the flora and fauna, walk along the woodland pathways and listen to the birdsong.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Powerscourt Waterfall
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
6 within 3 miles
Attractions
37 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- FK Beechmount79 contributionsNot WelcomingHaven't been here for years as there was no charge on the last occasion we were there. We have no objection to paying to a top class facility. However the gentlemen at the gate was far from welcoming and was so full of his own importance, you could have mixed him up with robot. He was far from welcoming and would nearly encourage you to turn for home as there was no engagement other that his officialdom and authority. As always the Waterfall was amazing, When we went for a coffee, service was fine but with wasps and flies plentiful, there was little comfort and we left early.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 24, 2023
- Sketch2733 contributionsBeautiful area but experience RUINED with all the BBQ's etc.Waterfall is beautiful and the walks, etc. equally as beautiful. Shame to have the experience ruined by an invasion of people drinking and BBQ-ing all around the area you have to walk through to get to the actual waterfall. Unbelievable, this is allowed in such a scenic area. Wouldn't bother going back if this is the norm and wouldn't recommend it to anyone either. There are plenty of places to BBQ and drink without ruining a lovely area like this. Management, get a grip. They're destroying it. Avondale Forest Tree Top Walk is amazing if anyone is interested.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 6, 2024
- Sharon MWindham, New Hampshire652 contributionsIt is a Nice Waterfall - Enjoyable for Us!There seem to be a lot of mixed reviews here, but we enjoyed it. We were not there to see any of the BBQ's that people are writing about, however, we did see the firepits for them. The falls are pretty and it really isn't an activity that takes a lot of time. Perhaps people are paying a fee and wanting to hang around for awhile to get their money's worth - We must have been there on a good day, timing may be everything! We stayed at the hotel so it worked for us!Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 10, 2024
- F&O MonIreland79 contributionsLovely to seeLovely to see. Very impressive and a lovely scenic setting. Very reasonable entrance price given all we could do. Nice walks and scenery and a lovely picnic area. Be prepared for insects and midges but you have to expect that where there’s water and peat. Also have good footwear as area around the fall is rocky. All part of the experience. If you expect anything different from nature, stay in your kitchen.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 12, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,212 reviews
Excellent
517
Very good
364
Average
190
Poor
73
Terrible
68
Nico87
99 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Within 35 mins from Dublin City by car you arrive to the privately owned Slazenger Family Estate (€16 family pass) and drive to the wonderful waterfall that takes centre stage. There are walkways marked out but they are short, and the food on offer is limited to your normal burger van affair. Toilets are located at the top Carpark and there are several bbq areas situated around the waterfall area free to use.
Written March 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CMK79
Magherafelt, UK182 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
The waterfall is stunning, and the grounds are well maintained. However, you were visiting as a family or a group, it could get quite expensive. I get the need to fund the upkeep, but I think this would be too expensive for some. Charge a little less and I think more would come.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunHero
Dublin13 contributions
Jan 2023
We visited on a Sunday afternoon in January and spent an enjoyable couple of hours here. Very pleasant and well cared for woodlands and green areas, plus handy facilities like playground, toilets, snack bar. Advantages of visiting in winter: perfect view of waterfall as there is no foliage on the trees, plenty of water volume, and not too crowded when you want to take photos at the foot of the waterfall. My kids enjoyed balancing on stones in the river as well as the playground.
As others have written, there is an entrance fee and this is clearly called on their website. My guess is that the land is not in public ownership, but is privately owned and a fee is needed to cover the costs of upkeep. At the end of the day it's up to each person to decide whether the visit is worth it for them personally. My advice would be to plan to spend at least 1 or 2 hours here, which you can easily do if you visit the falls, walk the trails and have a picnic.
As others have written, there is an entrance fee and this is clearly called on their website. My guess is that the land is not in public ownership, but is privately owned and a fee is needed to cover the costs of upkeep. At the end of the day it's up to each person to decide whether the visit is worth it for them personally. My advice would be to plan to spend at least 1 or 2 hours here, which you can easily do if you visit the falls, walk the trails and have a picnic.
Written January 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danny2013do
Mullingar, Ireland48 contributions
Jul 2020
€6.50 per person is a scandalous price to pay just to see a waterfall, have access to some woodland and a stream that for the majority is overcrowded, and lacks much infrastructure. Sure the location is great if you like crowded sites, where folks have plenty of smokey BBQs that I pondered if I was in a forest or the burning man festival. In the lower portion of the park where it’s less crowded, you have access to a woods and a human-made dam that is a botched job of concrete overlay. Sure the waterfall is pretty, the mountains and open space, but it is ridiculously overcrowded to the point I got what it feels like to be in a coffin ship. (This is during the COVID-19 pandemic.) No Social distancing set in place. Max outdoor is 200 odd people, here there was over 2000. Regardless, I can imagine it being a popular location outside of this. Plus, the entrance to the site is narrow and has a ridiculous backup, that could be sorted by widening the entrance gate. Overall, the location is nice, but I don’t get how they charge people €6.50 for a natural outdoor attraction. People happily pay for it. I thought the cliffs of Moher were bad, but at least they charge by the car and not person, and it grants you access to the entire site, unlike Powerscourt Estate. If you want value for money head to Blarney Castle, parking is free, but you get access to a castle as well as the gardens for a fraction of the price.
Written August 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rita
2 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Everything was great, views were lovely. Really did enjoy the day here with my family. I had decided to buy ice cream for my family at the cafe, the line was moving slowly and it took a while to wait for ice cream, when my number was called I couldn’t hear it properly because everyone was obviously talking but i heard it the second time and when I got to the lady who was giving me what I bought she started talking bad about me right in front of me?!!!, shouting at me saying I was holding up the entire line and how I was slow when I literally got to her in two seconds. I even apologized but then she started talking bad about me to one of the other workers who clearly didn’t want any part in that, this all happened while I was right in front of her. I was absolutely appalled by her rude attitude. Thought good customer service was supposed to be a thing...
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brandon F
Murrieta, CA56 contributions
Mar 2019
The waterfall is special, beautiful, tall and majestic but the scenery around you and up to the waterfall is almost as spectacular. I recommend going right after a heavy rain so you can really see the beauty of the fall. Can be quite cold due to it's location tucked back in the mountains.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichieIreland
5 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Booked family entry ticket online, after arriving out to entrance after a queue of cars it was closed as there were too many people in there we were told. A lot of cars turned away. Don't bother booking entry online as we were turned away anyway. Pointless paying online to be turned away. Disappointing for kids. Looking for refund from them out of principle not getting much confidence back from them. After 3 different email addresses.
Written July 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Richie,
We no longer take online bookings for the Waterfall and we encouraging visitors to arrive early, especially at peak times at weekends as we ensuring that during these times visitors can adhere to social distancing. Your refund would have gone through in July, please direct message if you want. We regret the experience you had in July at the Waterfall, since your visit we have removed online bookings for the waterfall to avoid any disappointments. Like all outdoor attractions across the country, safety is paramount for us and we are learning during these constantly changing challenging times.
Written August 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Colette S
Cork, Ireland113 contributions
Jul 2020
After a leisurely afternoon in Powerscourt House and Gardens, we felt we might as well be thorough and visit Powerscourt Waterfall down the road.
Ireland's tallest waterfall is majestic, beautiful, mesmerising and a peaceful place to while away an evening and get some great photographs. We came on a summer's evening so we seemed to avoid a lot of the crowds mentioned in previous reviews. It does appear to be the perfect place for a romantic picnic or bbq.
We weren't overly impressed with being charged to go in and see a natural feature but I guess the site does need to be maintained and I can't say we didn't have a good time.
Ireland's tallest waterfall is majestic, beautiful, mesmerising and a peaceful place to while away an evening and get some great photographs. We came on a summer's evening so we seemed to avoid a lot of the crowds mentioned in previous reviews. It does appear to be the perfect place for a romantic picnic or bbq.
We weren't overly impressed with being charged to go in and see a natural feature but I guess the site does need to be maintained and I can't say we didn't have a good time.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gallagher959
Derry, UK21 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Our family spent an afternoon near the waterfall where we sat at a picnic table and had our snacks bought in the nearby shop. Several ducks kept us company and in the calm warm sunshine we enjoyed the stunning sights. Loved it!
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon D
Dublin, Ireland15 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Unreal views,fabulous place to visit but BRING A PICNIC!!!! I’ve never seen a busy tourist place with such a bad set up for food. Unorganised and unfriendly,we waited over 20 mins for ice cream,when we enquired were told the machines busy and needs to cool down,that’s fair enough but could have been told when buying. We had ordered food earlier in the day and again no proper system in place,and left waiting for ages! BYO for sure,and enjoy the stunning views
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there anywhere for children to paddle at the waterfall?
Written July 20, 2021
Does the €6 per person fee at the waterall cover both the waterfall & then powers court house & gardens please?
Written August 18, 2018
Morning, no while they are both on the same Estate they are located 6 kms from each other and they both have separate entry fees. Link to our ticket prices are available on our website under plan your visit/ticket prices and you can book ahead or pay on the day.
Written August 20, 2018
Hi were do pay in for water fall
Written August 5, 2018
You can buy tickets online from our website (even on the day) or you can pay at the booth inside the gate to the Waterfall on entry. The cost of admission to the waterfall is €6, we do offer child, student and family rates. All available to see on our website under plan your visit/ticket prices
Written August 20, 2018
May/Jun/July open from 9:30 to 7pm BUT last admission is 6pm. Hope you enjoy it.
Written May 9, 2018
Can waterfall be accessed this time of year? Website says its close 2 weeks prior to christmas but how do you close a waterfall??
Written December 16, 2017
It is on private property and there is a gate across the road which I am sure they close and lock up over the winter. You have to pay an admittance fee to go back to where it is located, as you would when entering a park....
Written December 31, 2017
If we were to take a bus/train from Dublin to the town station, is the waterfall in walking distance?
Written June 26, 2017
Hi Robert
Unfortunately not and the rounds are very narrow so I would not recommend walking to the Waterfall.
Warm Regards
Carmel
Written July 6, 2017
Is there a passage by car from the waterfall to Wicklow Mountains National Park?
Written June 12, 2017
Yes the Wicklow Mountains National Park is approximately 40 ,minutes drive from Powerscourt.
Warm Regards
Carmel
Written July 6, 2017
Salve nel mese di luglio sarò in Irlanda e vorrei visitare Powerscourt,posso prenotare,naturalmente pagandoli subito,i biglietti dato che so il giorno esatto?grazie
Written January 18, 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 12
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing