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| AVOCA, CO. WICKLOW. -This romantically situated little town stands on the banks of the gently gliding Avonmore, in one of the most delightful portions of the far-famed vale which gives it title. A handsome bridge spans the sparkling river at this point, and it is only an easy walk of about three miles from the Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford railroad station, at Avoca, to the secluded valley of Cronbane, in which is the "Meeting of the Waters," rendered immortal by the well known song of Thomas Moore. But there are many other spots along the course of the Avonmore quite as interesting although they did not have the good fortune to strike the fancy of "the poet of all circles and the idol of his own." The whole valley is, indeed, a succession of lovely vistas, where river, rock and forest vie for the supremacy in splendid rivalry. Avoce, like nearly all the Wicklow vales, combines fertility with beauty, and contrast of fields of the brightest emerald, waters of the most crystal clearness, dark green woods and purple mountain peaks is unending throughout its extent. Savage precipices often frown on nooks of the most gentle and sequestered aspect, where lovers, in the first ecstasy of the tender passions, might fancy themselves in another Eden. The Vale of Avoca shares with Killarney the privilege of possessing "the fatal gift of beauty," but, in their case, the proverb has lost its melancholy meaning. |
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