Glendalough is a beautiful place. It is the site of the remains of a monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. It is located in a beautiful, narrow valley, at the confluence of two rivers, with two lakes just behind the settlement, a small, roughly circular lower lake, and then a longer upper lake just a kilometer or so beyond the lower lake.
As well, Glendalough is part of the Wicklow Mountains National park, and as such there is no development and there are many trails available for walkers and nature enthusiasts. On the afternoon of my arrival, it was the second of two very hot, sunny days and there were many families from the surrounding area and from Dublin out for a summer day of swimming (mostly kids as the water is cold), picnicking, and playing games on the open grassy fields. As well, many of the coach bus tourists who come to see Glendalough have time to stroll from the monastic settlement to first the lower and then the upper lake.
This is part of the lovely boardwalk across the wetlands, looking back towards the tower of St. Kevin’s church at the monastic settlement. The boardwalk parallels one side of the lower lake and thus helps form the pleasant 3 km “green road” loop trail around the lower lake and to the upper lake.
From the boardwalk you can look across to a small swimming beach on the lower lake.
This is the upper lake, looking towards the headwaters. I will hike there tomorrow, over the top of the high cliffs on the left, across the far upper valley, and then returning close to the shoreline through the forest on the right.
This couple is having a romantic moment, watching the ducks on the sparkling lake, as the sun begins to lower in the west.
One of the many grassy fields between the lower and upper lakes, and also there are streams all around…
I visited the monastic settlement in the late afternoon, the early evening, and again early in the morning, so my photos below of the settlement will have different kinds of light. My favourite photo is this one, taken in the early morning. To the right is the 30 m high round tower, built around the 11th century. These tall round bell towers are unique to Ireland. In the foreground is the 12th century St. Kevin’s church with its own round bell tower.
These are the remains of a small, 12th century cathedral.
As well, there are many headstones and celtic crosses that mark grave sites, old and new. Here are some more images from Glendalough.
When I visited in the monastic settlement in the evening and again in the early morning, I was there with only a few others. It was so quiet and peaceful, and I felt very grateful to be in such a special place where, for centuries, others have walked in reverence, service, and contemplation.
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