County Wicklow is on the east coast of Ireland, immediately south of Dublin, bordered by the Irish Sea and the counties of Carlow, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare, South Dublin, and Wexford. The county is considered by some as part of the "Greater Dublin Area." Wicklow is often known as "The Garden of Ireland" because it is regarded as being very beautiful especially by tourists, with its many gently sloping hills and lakes.

The county town is Wicklow (pop. 9,355), although the largest urban centre is Bray (pop. 30,951). Other main towns include Greystones (pop. 11,913) and Arklow (pop. 11,721). All of these towns are situated on the eastern coast.

County Wicklow is sometimes known as 'the last county' as it was the last of the original counties to be established - in 1606 from land previously part of County Dublin.

The "Military Road," stretching from Rathfarnham to Aughavannagh cuts through the mountains. It was built by the British army to assist them in crushing rebels still active in the Wicklow Mountains following the failed 1798 rebellion The road provided them quick access to an area that had been a hotbed of Irish rebellion for centuries. Several barracks to house the soldiers were built along the route. The Glencree Reconciliation Centre was built alongside the remains of barracks. Battalions of the Irish Army use firing ranges in County Wicklow for tactical exercises. The British Army used the largest one in the Glen of Imaal prior to Ireland’s independence.

The county has had a colourful history. St Kevin established a monastic site in the 6th century at Glendalough in the highlands. The lowlands of Wicklow were invaded by the Vikings. Glendalough, the Valley of the Two Lakes, is a major destination for visitors to the county. The round tower dominates the skyline of lakes and valleys.

The Turlough Hill pumped-storage scheme, a significant civil engineering project, was carried out in the mountains in the 1960s and 1970s. The ancient monastery of Glendalough is located in County Wicklow.