glendalough monastic settlement

The mists hung over the hills around us as we wandered through the cemetery and monastery ruins. This setting is the serene, mystic Ireland of legends. This was a highlight of our tour of Britain, Scotland and Ireland as this valley makes me feel the ancient history. There is a hotel on the property and I would love to return to this quiet retreat.

Located about one hour south of Dublin, Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains offers absolutely gorgeous mountain views. There are 2 lakes to walk around and plenty of hiking trails. In addition, there is the main monastic site that was founded in the 6th century. These monastic grounds are great to explore for anyone who enjoys ancient lands. There is also a visitor's centre that offers more information about the area, as well as a quick video. In addition, if you have the Heritage Card for Ireland, the video in the visitor's centre is free.After you're done visiting here, you can also take a gorgeous drive through the Wicklow Mountains and experience some of the best scenery you'll find in Ireland, and also drive on very tight, windy, dirt roads. Be sure to stop as some of the view points to take in a full panoramic view and a deep breath of the fresh mountain air.

Glendalough (pronounced `Glen-da-lock' and meaning `Glen of the Two Lakes') is fascinating journey well worth taking. For the history enthusiast, Glendalough is the site of St. Kevin's monastery which he founded in 545 AD in a valley which previously had been held sacred to the mother goddess by the pagans of Ireland. Once you are there you can understand perfectly why this glen would have been considered sacred to the people of the past. There is a pervasive sense of serenity which settles the mind and directs one toward contemplation. The admission fee is 4.00 euros at the visitor's centre where one may view small exhibits and watch a short film on the history of the site. While this film is informative, it neglects the ancient past of the site in favor of stories concerning St. Kevin and his miracles and the various decorative stones in the area (all dating only from the Christian era). If one knows nothing of the site, I suppose the film is worth watching but, if one does, skip it and go on outside. St. Kevin is said to have come to Glendalough to escape from people and devote himself to complete contemplation of God and this is certainly the spot conducive to such a pursuit. The mountains rise serenely all about as one wanders through the old graveyard and the ruins of the monastery which grew up around St. Kevin's retreat. One may content oneself with the ruins or choose to walk around the lake on the wide-planked wooden walkway. I recommend the walk if one is able to do it (it is not a short walk but is not arduous) as one comes to appreciate the natural beauty of the site more the further one moves into it. Upon returning to the visitor's centre after the lake walk, the Glendalough Hotel is next to the Visitor's Centre and serves delicious food and fine drink. Vegetarian dishes are available and the vegetarian lasagne is excellent at 14.50 euros. I had the Beef & Guiness Pie for 13.50 but there were more modestly priced items such as the soup of the day for 5.20. Toilets are located outside the restaurant in a separate building. The hotel is handicapped accessible, the service excellent, and the food fantastic. It was a perfect way to end our tour of the site. I heard other visitors compare the site unfavorably with the famous Clanmacnoise. Glendalough is no Clanmacnoise, lacking the grandeur and sweep of that site, but it was never intended to be. It was originally a wild, natural, glen where a man of God went to devote himself to contemplation - never imagining that people would follow him and build a community there. One should come to Glendalough without expectations and receive the gifts which it has to give gratefully. It is a magical valley and has much to give its guests. Highly Recommended.

Excellent place to view the past. Staff very friendly and helpful. First stop on our Ireland trip...wonderful. As an American, the idea of long history is 400 years. Here you are seeing 4000 years. WOW.

An interesting place to visit. The tower and small St Kevin's church are well preserved and the surrounding gravestones tell a story of the people who have lived in the area for many centuries.