Glendalough
Glendalough Ireland, is one of Ireland’s most popular destinations. The name means ‘The Valley of The Two Lakes’, and it is located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park which is an area of about 20,000 hectares where the landscape and wildlife are protected. The Glendalough Monastic Site is located there.
What’s in Glendalough?
Glendalough Monastic Site
The best known feature is the Monastic Site with its iconic Round Tower and the ruins of a number of churches. The Early Medieval monastic settlement dates back to the 6th century and was founded by St Kevin.
St Kevin’s Church Glendalough
Some of today’s ruins include The Cathedral, St. Kevin’s Church or “Kitchen” (it was never a kitchen but is thought to have got the name because the bell tower resembled a chimney from an old kitchen), and The Priest’s House. Some of these ruins date from later periods but there are still some remains from the original buildings.
The Round Tower is about 30 metres high and has been preserved and restored to very good condition. The roof was rebuilt in the late 19th Century using the original stone. The round tower had six floors, which were originally bell towers but were also used for grain storage and as places of refuge in the event of an attack.
The remaining ruins are only a small part of the original settlement which would have included workshops, houses, farm buildings and all the necessary constructions for a large population of monks and lay people.
Further up along the lakes can be found various other ruins, including Reefert Church from the 11th or 12th century and St. Kevin’s bed, which was reputedly a cave which he used as a retreat.
Glendalough Monastic Site is a fascinating window into a period of Irish History which is easily accessible by the public.
Click on the images for more views:
Glendalough Walks and Trails
If you fancy a hike, there are numerous marked walking trails in the area. A map of the marked trails is available at The Visitor Centre. The trails vary from short and easy to longer and more difficult. The longest is 11km.
The Wicklow Way which is a 130 km walking route from South Dublin to Clonegal, Co. Wicklow passes here.
Also, St. Kevin’s Way is a 30 Km walk from Hollywood, Co Wicklow to Glendalough following the path of St Kevin.
There are many Guided Walks available in the area including Footfalls, Guided Walks, Hillwalk Tours and more.
There are lots of activities for children in the area with lots of organized outdoor outings and Clara Lara Fun Park located a short distance away.
Here is some stunning aerial footage of the area from Ciaran Cassidy:
Wildlife and Nature
The area is home to many of the mammals which are found in Ireland including, Red Deer (scarce), Sika Deer, foxes, badgers, red squirrels, pine martens, otters, rabbits, hares and lots of feral goats.
Unusual birds (fairly rare in Ireland) have been spotted in the area. They include the goosander, the great spotted woodpecker, the common redstart, the wood warbler, the peregrine falcon, the white-throated dipper, the common cuckoo (getting rarer in Ireland), the Eurasian jay and the common buzzard.
Accommodation in Glendalough, Ireland
There is a high demand for accommodation in the area. Because of its popularity with hikers, hill walkers and students, hostel accommodation is popular, but there are also numerous B&Bs and some hotels in the area.
Here are some accommodations very near the Monastic Site:
Hotels: The Glendalough Hotel, Lynams Hotel
Bed and Breakfast: Heather House, Sliabh Amharc, Tudor Lodge B&B,
Self Catering: Luxury Country House Glendalough, The Deerstone Luxury Eco Hideaway
Hostel: Glendalough International Youth Hostel
Accommodation near Glendalough on The Map
Glendalough Weather
In the East Coast of Ireland, the rainfall is significantly less than in the west.
However, the weather is distinctly Irish in that it is changeable (you can get the proverbial four seasons in one day). It can range from gloriously sunny to damp and misty.
Because of its mountainous terrain, the temperature drops as you climb, and it can be subject to mist and fog.
During the Winter frost and sometimes snow are common in the higher reaches.
So the advice is: Come prepared with a change of clothing and suitable walking shoes/boots.
How Far is Glendalough Monastic Site?
Dublin Airport 77km, Rosslare Ferry 120km.
Glendalough Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre at Glendalough is a great source of information. They have an audio-visual show in many languages, and guided tours can be arranged.
There is a large car park at the centre which can be used for cars and tour buses.
