Glenmacnass Waterfall

Glenmacnass Waterfall drops 80 meters in three separate cascades over grey granite rock in the Wicklow Mountains. The water flows across multiple ledges, creating a series of distinct falls before reaching the valley below.

The Old Military Road was built in the early 1800s and passes near the waterfall as a strategic route through the mountains. This historic path still crosses the region today, linking different areas of the highland landscape.

The name comes from Irish words meaning the glen of the waterfall hollow, reflecting how the landscape itself shaped what people call this place. Visitors can see how the natural bowl shape of the valley explains the name they have used for centuries.

The viewpoint sits near a parking area that fits several vehicles, requiring only a short walk to view the falls. The path is relatively flat and easy to navigate, though the hilltop can be windy and wet.

The waterfall sits at a geological boundary where grey porphyritic granite meets dark schist rock, creating a natural division in the landscape. This rock transition is visible in the different colors and textures that appear as water flows down the cascades.

Height: 80 m

GPS coordinates: 53.06474,-6.33723

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:06