Explore the ruins of a monastic city in the wilds of Ireland.
In a quiet valley in eastern Ireland, not far from Dublin, lies the ruins of a monastic city founded back in the 6th century. Christianity came early to Ireland and stayed. Monasteries were the centers of learning and safe havens during the Dark Ages. The ruins of these monasteries still dot the landscape of Ireland, forever tied to the history of the country.
The valley of Glendalough also features two lakes, the Upper (this one) and Lower.
The monastery at Glendalough was founded by St. Kevin, an Irish born saint. He traveled to Glendalough and found it to be suitable for a monastery. He attracted many followers during his time and for the next six centuries, the monastery here flourished.
The Lower Lake.
The end for Glendalough started in 1214 when the dioceses was combined with Dublin’s. Glendalough slowly died and was left in ruins after the English invaded in 1398.
The gateway to the monastic city of Glendalough is the last one left in Ireland. It would have been two stories with a timber roof. Not much remains today of the enclosure wall that would have surrounded the site.
By far the most impressive monument here at Glendalough, the Round Tower. It’s about 100 feet tall (30 meters). The tower had six timber floors inside, connected by ladders and would have been used as a bell tower and a place of refuge during times of attack.
The former monastic enclosure is now filled to the brim with a more modern cemetery.
Graves nestled nearby Medieval ruins, with the ruins of the cathedral in the distance.
I think the ruins are the Priest’s House, a reconstruction from original stones. Not sure what it was originally used for since the name actually comes from the practice of burying priests there in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The back of the cathedral from the cemetery. So picturesque.
Lying outside the cemetery, is the parish church of St. Kevin.
The rear of St. Kevin’s shows that there would have been another room back here. Look at the triangle shape on the left wall.
Trails from St. Kevin’s takes you around the Upper and Lower Lakes. It is a really beautiful area and even the windy, rainy weather I had didn’t ruin it. However, it did hamper some of my explorations of the ruins.
Due to the weather and time restraints, I was not able to completely explore the site. There are even more buildings from this community further afield. I guess I will have to go back some day to see it all. What a shame.
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