A Guide To Greenan Maze In Wicklow

Greenan Maze is a handy option for those of you looking for things to do in Wicklow with kids.

Located in Ballinanty in Wicklow and spread over 25 acres, you’d be forgiven for thinking the only thing this place has going for it is the maze.

However, this is far from a ‘one-horse’ attractions and there’s heaps to see and do, from nature walks, a museum and plenty more!

Some quick need-to-knows about Greenan Maze

Although a visit to Greenan Maze is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Greenan Maze is located in Ballinanty in County Wicklow. It’s a 10-minute drive from Rathdrum, a 20-minute drive from Glendalough and a 30-minute drive from Wicklow Town.

2. Opening hours

Greenan Maze is a seasonal attraction that closes from October to March. Opening hours are as follows (note: they may change):

• April 1st to April 16th: Open every day 10:00 – 18:00
• Easter School Holidays: Open every day 10:00 – 18:00
• May/June: Open on weekends 10:00 – 18:00
• July/August: Open every day 10:00 – 18:00
• September: Open on weekends 10:00 – 18:00

3. Prices

You don’t have to book Greenan Maze in advance – you pay when you get there. Prices are as follows (note: they may change):

• Adults: €8.50
• Children: €8.50
• Children 2 and under: Free
• Family ticket: €32.00 

About Greenan Maze

Greenan Maze is a small 50-acre farm run by the Wheeler family. The family’s mission is to keep their farm running whilst helping to preserve the biodiversity and beauty of the surrounding Wicklow countryside. 

The farm was first opened to the public in 1996, and the majority of the farm’s buildings and attractions were built by the family using local wood and locally sourced and recycled materials. 

Sadly, the farm’s star attraction, the hedge maze, caught a pathogen and began to die, but it has been newly replanted with 1,500 locally grown broadleaf beech trees.

The new maze has seven hidden giant insects, a nod to broadleaf beech’s ability to help local insect life! 

Things to see and do at Greenan Maze

One of the reasons that a visit to Greenan Maze is one of the best things to do in Wicklow for families is due to the volume of things there are to see and do.

Here is a taste of what’s on offer (just remember that it’s seasonal – see opening hours above!).

1. The mazes

There are two mazes at Greenan Maze, the challenging Celtic Maze (newly replanted in 2022), and the Solstice Maze. 

The Celtic Maze has plenty of twists and turns, rewarding those who find the centre with a lovely pond feature. This maze is also overlooked by a viewing platform, so you can watch the fun from afar. 

The Solstice Maze, created on December 21st (the winter solstice) is a flat winding pathway surrounding four large central stones and surrounded by 21 outer stones. 

2. The farm museums

Greenan Maze has three museums, the Barn Museum, the Bottle Museum, and The Old Farmhouse Museum.

The Barn Museum is in a big two-storey barn, with old farming tools on display, as well as blacksmith’s, thatcher’s, cooper’s, and cartwright’s tools. 

Dating back to 1985, the Bottle Museum houses a huge collection of 19th and early 20th century jars, pots, and bottles. 

The Old Farmhouse, once a safe house of Irish Rebels, is now a fully restored house with original furniture and weapons on display!

3. The nature walk

For some peace and tranquillity, walk Greenan Maze’s Wild Nature Walk. The trail follows the meandering Ballinanty Brook and joins the Dragonfly Walk, a raised wooden walkway. 

The walkway weaves through native woodland and wetlands, leading to three ponds with raised viewing platforms. 

Throughout the trail, you’ll be passing through unspoiled countryside and woodlands that have been planted with over one hundred tree species. Keep your eyes peeled for dragonflies, moorhens, and even wild deer!

4. The animals

Greenan Maze is on a working farm with its very own resident farm animals. You’ll be able to spy the animals in their paddocks, and, depending on the time of year, you may even spot a lamb, piglets, and maybe even a calf! 

There are two retired draught horses, two donkeys, and heaps of other farm animals. 

They have a large number of pure breed hens, including some rare breeds, which can be seen from a seated viewing area at the “Hen Hotel”. 

Things to do near Greenan Maze

One of the beauties of Greenan Maze is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Wicklow.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Greenan Maze!

1. Avondale Forest Park (15-minute drive)

Avondale Forest Park has a scenic, fully accessible, treetop walkway that rises high above the ground amongst the forest canopy. The park also has seven walking trails through its 500-acre grounds. 

2. National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh (20-minute drive)

Kilmacurragh Gardens is free to visit, with wonderful displays of rare plants, tree-lined avenues, and the ruins of a Queen Anne house. April is a fantastic time to visit with the garden’s impressive rhododendron collection in bloom. 

3. Glendalough (20-minute drive)

Glendalough Valley in the Wicklow Mountain National Park is full of beautiful walks and is home to a 6th-century monastic city. See our Glendalough walks guide for a clatter of trails to tackle.