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Above and Beyond: Lizzie Gore-Grime’s off-roading adventure in Co Wicklow
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Join our Editor-in-Chief as she goes off-roading around the wilds of Wicklow in the unstoppable new Defender, before checking into one of Ireland’s most exciting new eco-retreat centres – The Deerstone, in Laragh.
It may not be its most impressive feature, but the first thing I commented on when I climbed (up) into the new Defender 110 model was the paint colour. And clearly I was not alone, judging by the comments on social media when I posted a pic of the car. But seriously, what a colour!
It’s called Grasmere Green and is a modern take on one of the original Defender colours, first released back in the 1940s, now reintroduced as a Defender 75th anniversary limited edition.
The shape and outline of the new Defender also pays homage to the original model, boasting the same iconic boxy silhouette, yet feels stylishly modern, with a lightweight aluminium frame, and some softer exterior curves that look smart but still feel solid. But don’t let any of the more modern flourishes fool you, the 2024 Defender is every bit the off-road beast as its predecessor.
And what better location to test said capability than scaling Wicklow’s Little Sugar Loaf? At 342m high it’s not as lofty as its big sister, but as I sat behind the wheel of the Defender and looked up at the winding tracks ahead, extra muddy after two days of solid rain, the gradient looked suitably intimidating to my novice off-roader eyes.
But after just a few minutes I felt myself completely relax as I allowed the car to do what it does best. If there is one overarching sensation behind the wheel of a Defender it is “solid” and with solid, comes “safe”. And frankly, whatever boulders and swampy potholes you see ahead pose zero problem thanks to the Defender’s expert terrain response system – a hi-tech system with sensors that report 500 times per second, with high ground clearance and 900mm wading depth. And when it comes to going down, no matter how sheer the drop, you merely press a button to turn on “hill descent mode” and the car takes over to ensure a careful, controlled descent. Not so essential in Sandymount, but on the Sugar Loaf I was very glad of it.
After two hours of proper muddy hillside off-roading, we then got to appreciate the car’s ability to glide, or at least that’s what it felt like, as we took the long route home, a spin through the spectacular Sally Gap. This allowed us to experience the car in electric mode as we were driving the new Defender plug-in hybrid model, (offering 42km of electric driving on every charge), adding even more smoothness to the ride.
Now, with only open road ahead, we took the opportunity to appreciate the comfort and luxury of the interior. Between the super luxe leather seats, stylish cockpit, Meridian speaker system and slick Pivi Pro Infotainment touchscreen system – the Defender boasts all the mod-cons you expect of a luxury car today, but enhanced by all its additional rugged capabilities.
Suitably exhilarated by the combination of adventure and stunning scenery, the icing on the cake was yet to come, with our arrival at The Deerstone, our base for the night. The eco-retreat centre in Laragh, opened in late 2023 by Kirsty Foynes is nothing short of spectacular.
“The Defender boasts all the mod-cons you expect of a luxury car today, but enhanced by all its additional rugged capabilities.”
Located just a stone’s throw from Glendalough, the property basks in the beauty of its natural setting. As our tyres scrunched down the gravel drive, the first thing that caught our eye was the magnificent grass-roofed Roundhouse, designed by Rotunda, that sits central to everything, with pretty landscaped paths splitting off to lead you around the rest of the property which consists of five A1 energy-rated luxury eco cottages, (each with a private hot tub), four secluded shepherd’s huts, a dining lodge with mountain views, cosy firepit lounge and a secluded swim spa complete with river-side sauna and cold water plunge pools.
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Once we’d parked the car up, and plugged it in, (the property has a number of EV charging stations on site), I was delighted to take the tour with Kirsty. “The irony is,” she began, “that on our very first date, my husband and I both admitted to a dream of opening a boutique activity retreat… I pictured Greece, he had a water skiing place on The Shannon in mind…”
Fast forward a mere 25 years and what the couple have created at The Deerstone is truly special. Not least due to the considered way the property seems to sit, quietly, within the landscape, and make the most of the natural habitat. “Our landscape designer, local man Andy Peters, is also a stonemason,” explains Kirsty. “So he was particularly skilled at making the most of the many granite outcrops scattered throughout the property – cleverly incorporating them into the design.” Certainly, Andy has captured the quintessential Wicklow landscape to perfection with a palette of honeysuckle gorse, purple heather, mossy lichen and larch.
Settling into our cottage a little later, it comes as no surprise to learn that Kirsty is a professional interior architect. “We are so lucky to have so many talented makers in the area,” says Kirsty, who has fitted out the place with bespoke furniture by Wicklow-based Snug, sustainable light fittings by award-winning Copperfish Lighting, Voya toiletries, White & Green organic bed linen, Respa’s wool filled eco mattresses and more, all made in Ireland.
That evening, as we sat sipping drinks in the open-air firepit lounge, watching the stars, before a divine five-course dinner served up in The Shed, it’s hard to think of anywhere more beautiful. Suitably sated, I went to bed uplifted by adventure and fuelled by Defender-inspired dreams of endless explorations ahead.
Go anywhere
Classic silhouette Inspired by the original model, the 2024 Defender has the same iconic silhouette, but with a modern upgrade – a lightweight yet durable aluminium frame. The suspension has been updated too; the Defender 110 has a choice of passive coil or Electronic Air Suspension for superior all-terrain capability and driver confidence in all environments.
Luxury interiors Comfort is a key part of Defender, with interior materials focused on retained newness – so even after thousands of miles of exploration Defender is sure to look and feel fresh. Customers can choose from a range of materials, including leather and kvadrat, a 30% wool blend alternative to leather. Defender is always ready for adventure with an impressive loadspace and the option of seven seats.
Terrain response Every off-roader’s dream, Defender has expert terrain response systems, with hi-tech sensors that report 500 times per second. And, along with four-wheel drive, its 8-speed automatic transmission allows for optimal control and power. With high ground clearance and wading depth, it can handle any terrain that comes your way.
Safety features Awareness is key to staying safe behind the wheel, and Defender has 360-surround cameras for unobstructed views and effortless manoeuvring. Its optional ClearSight rearview mirror, with a camera mounted on the antenna, allows you to see what’s behind the car without tall passengers or a heavy load obstructing the view. There’s even a camera underneath the vehicle for navigating narrow or uneven roads.
Pivi Pro Infotainment Designed with the outdoors in mind, the Pivi Pro Infotainment system’s touchscreen display can be operated with gloves on and allows the user to pair their phone through Apple Car Play, use satellite navigation or play music through its Meridian speaker system. With some models, you can customise features to include wireless charging or a built-in fridge in the centre console.
Climate control The Defender also has a minimalist interface for its climate control system; convenient dials control its internal temperature and ventilation, while its air purification system removes allergens and contaminants and monitors air quality. It also has a handy synchronised InControl Remote app that turns on the A/C, heating or de-icing functions remotely so you can simply get in and drive.
Electric Performance Defender is available with a wide range of powertrains, including a plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV). The advanced P400e plug-in electric hybrid powertrain promises silent, zero tailpipe emissions driving in EV-mode for up to 42km and overall CO2 emissions from just 74g/km.
Photography by Melanie Mullan
Learn more at landrover.ie/defender.
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