Welcome to Ashford

Ashford in County Wicklow is a very special place with a lot of history. Do you know that it's in Ireland and is surrounded by beautiful green hills and clear, sparkling streams? A long time ago, around the 9th century, the Vikings came to Ashford. They were brave seafarers and warriors from the far north. They built a fort there, which must have been quite an exciting event!

Later, in the 12th century, a group of monks established a monastery in Ashford. Monks are people who dedicate their lives to prayer and work. They built a place where they could live, pray, and help others. They must have seen the lovely landscape and thought it was a peaceful place to live.

In the 19th century, a man named Thomas Parnell moved to Ashford. He was a very important person because he fought for Ireland's independence. He built a splendid home named Avondale House, which is still there today for us to visit and learn about our history.

So, Ashford may seem like a small townland, but it has a big history filled with Vikings, monks, and important Irish heroes. It's like a wonderful storybook waiting for us to read its pages!

  1. What country is Ashford in?
  2. Who came to Ashford in the 9th century and what did they build?
  3. What did the monks do in Ashford in the 12th century?
  4. Who was Thomas Parnell and what did he do for Ireland?
  5. Why do you think the history of Ashford is compared to a storybook?

All About Ashford

Ashford, in County Wicklow, Ireland, is a special place full of exciting things to explore. You'll find it nestled between the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea. One of the most famous spots in Ashford is "Mount Usher Gardens". Here, you'll find loads of different trees, plants, and flowers. Can you imagine how many different colors and shapes you might see? You might even spot some animals like squirrels, butterflies, and birds that call these gardens home. In town, there's a road called "Nun's Cross" which is unique because it has a church that's over 200 years old! Just outside Ashford, the Vartry River flows. It's like a large, moving mirror reflecting the sky. Sometimes, you might see ducks swimming in it! Close by, you'll find the Wicklow Mountains. They are like giant, green, sleeping giants covered with grass and trees. If you listen closely, you might hear the wind whispering through the mountain valleys. So, Ashford is not just a place on the map. It's an adventure waiting to be discovered, full of nature's wonders and historical surprises!.

  1. What are some of the plants and animals you might find in Mount Usher Gardens?
  2. Why is Nun's Cross road unique in Ashford?
  3. Describe how the Vartry River might look on a clear day.
  4. Using a map, can you locate Ashford and the Wicklow Mountains? What other interesting geographical features can you find nearby?
  5. Plan a visit to Ashford. What are the geographical features you might want to explore and why?

My Family and Ashford

Hi, my name is Hayden and I'm 8 years old. I live in a town called Ashford in Co. Wicklow. It's a really cool place to grow up in! We have lots of awesome things here, like Mount Usher Gardens. It's a big garden with lots of different plants and trees. My mum says it's one of the best gardens in Ireland!

There's also a place called the Devil's Glen. It sounds scary but it's actually a forest with a waterfall. I like going there with my dad and my dog, Spotty. We play fetch and sometimes we even have picnics!

One of my favourite things about Ashford is the Ashford Studios. That's where they film the TV show Vikings. I haven't seen it because my mum says it's too scary for me. But it's cool to know that it's filmed right here in my town.

There's so much more to see and do in Ashford. I feel lucky to be growing up here. I can't wait to explore more and share my adventures with you!

  1. What is the name of the garden in Ashford that Hayden likes?
  2. Describe what Hayden and his dad do at the Devil's Glen.
  3. Why hasn't Hayden seen the TV show Vikings?
  4. How does Hayden feel about growing up in Ashford?
  5. What does Hayden look forward to in the future?

The Logainm of Ashford

Ashford, in County Wicklow, is a beautiful village in Ireland. The name 'Ashford' is an English name, but do you know it has an Irish version too? It's called 'Áth na Fuinseoige', which means 'The Ford of the Wagtail'. A 'ford' is a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across, and a 'wagtail' is a cute, small bird with a long tail that wags a lot.

The name Ashford came from the old practice of crossing the Vartry River at this point. People and wagtail birds used this crossing a lot, just like a bridge we use today. Can you imagine how it was to cross a river without a bridge? Scary, isn't it?

Today, Ashford is known for its stunning nature and Mount Usher Gardens, one of the most famous gardens in Ireland. So, the next time you visit Ashford, remember its Irish name and the story behind it. And don't forget to look for wagtails near the river!

  1. What is the Irish name for Ashford, and what does it mean in English?
  2. What is a 'ford'?
  3. What kind of bird is a 'wagtail'?
  4. Why do you think the place was named after a bird?
  5. What is Ashford famous for today?

Slideshow - Ashford
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Ashford