‘We strongly recommend “Mr Hunter’s Inn, Newarth Bridge” as a most pleasant resting place, from which excursions may be made to Wicklow town, Rosana, Dunran and, above all, “the Devil’s Glen” – where a day may be well spent. Mr Hunter is an adept in the mystery of angling, and likes to accompany his guests to the neighbouring streams, or to Lough Dan…’
From Ireland: Its Scenery, Character, &c. By Mr & Mrs S.C. Hall, Vol.II (1842)
Although recent decades of relative affluence have brought many advantages to Ireland, this has had the effect of obliterating much tangible evidence of the country’s history: the tide of modernity has swept away all in its path. There are now, for example, few commercial establishments that date back much past the late 20th century and even many of these have been given so thorough a make-over that they might only have just opened for business. Which is what makes the survival of Hunter’s Hotel in County Wicklow so precious.

‘At Neweath Bridge we find good post-horses and carriages, at Hunter’s excellent hotel, its proprietor boasting, and justly so, of the entire approbation bestowed upon his admirably-managed establishment by patrons of the highest rank. It is most pleasantly situated on the left bank of the charming and trout-stored Vartry, on the sea-side road leading from Bray to Wicklow…’
From The Tourist’s Illustrated Hand-Book for Ireland (1852)
In the second half of the 17th century, the lands on which Hunter’s Hotel stands were granted by the English crown to Sir Abraham Yarner, elected first President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. The original building is believed to have been a forge, erected next to a ford across the river Vartry, but by the 18th century this had evolved into a post house, known as the Newry Bridge Inn, providing respite for travellers on the road from Dublin to Wexford. The proprietorship of this establishment passed through various hands until 200 years ago when, in 1825, a young couple called John and Catherine Hunter, obtained a lease on the inn, stable yard and seven acres of garden from its then-freeholder, Henry Tighe of nearby Ballinapark. John Hunter had been butler to the Tottenhams of Ballycurry while his wife had hitherto worked for the same family as housekeeper. The extensive and appropriate experience they brought to their new role as innkeepers served them well, since, as can be read, they were soon receiving favourable reviews from visitors to the area.

‘Leaving Glendalough not much later than six 0’clock in the afternoon, the tourist may be at the Killoughter, or Newrath-bridge station of the Wicklow railway in time for the last up-train for which, should he be late, he will consider himself by no means unfortunate in being thereby thrown into one of the most comfortable hotels in the county, “Hunter’s Newrath-bridge Hotel”, on leaving which he will no doubt confirm the testimony we have just received from a tourist friend lately sojourning there-”My experience sojourning there was comfortable in every respect, landlord most obliging, servants a pattern of civility and attention”.’
From Dublin: What’s to be Seen and How to See It, with Excursions by W.F. Wakeman (1853)
Two hundred years after John and Catherine Hunter assumed responsibility for the Newrath Bridge Inn, their descendants remain in charge of the premises, a rare example of uninterrupted ownership in this country. Likewise, relatively little has changed either inside the hotel or outside in the gardens, both of which attest to the value of continuity. With its low ceilings, thick walls and antique furnishings, Hunter’s Hotel still retains the charm of an old coaching inn, one in which generations of guests have enjoyed generous hospitality from the proprietors. That’s a difficult thing both to acquire and to maintain, and one that more modern establishments can’t hope to realise. Continuity of character is hard to find in contemporary Ireland. Winning accolades since 1825, long may Hunter’s Hotel remain unchanged.

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