One of my goals for my time in Northern Ireland/Ireland this year was to visit Glendalough. As with a number of other things here, Glendalough was highly recommended by a number of friends as a "must visit" destination.
Located in the Wicklow hills south of Dublin, Glendalough is translated from Gaelic as the "glen of two lakes." It is best known for its medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin, a descendent of one of the ruling families of the Irish province of Leinster. As a boy, Kevin studied under three holy men and went to Glendalough during this time. He later returned with a small group of monks to found a monastery. His fame spread as a holy man and many followers were attracted to Glendalough. Kevin died in 618, but Glendalough continued to flourish for another six centuries. For various reasons, the importance of the site culturally and ecclesiastically declined. The settlement was destroyed by English forces in 1398 that left it as a ruin, but it has continued as an important spiritual site to the present time.
The existing remains of the monastic site portray only part of its history at its peak that included workshops, guest houses, farm buildings, an infirmary, areas for manuscript writing and copying, and dwellings for monks.
I spent several hours there just wondering around the ruins and walking in the areas around the lakes. Here are a few photos.
Located in the Wicklow hills south of Dublin, Glendalough is translated from Gaelic as the "glen of two lakes." It is best known for its medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin, a descendent of one of the ruling families of the Irish province of Leinster. As a boy, Kevin studied under three holy men and went to Glendalough during this time. He later returned with a small group of monks to found a monastery. His fame spread as a holy man and many followers were attracted to Glendalough. Kevin died in 618, but Glendalough continued to flourish for another six centuries. For various reasons, the importance of the site culturally and ecclesiastically declined. The settlement was destroyed by English forces in 1398 that left it as a ruin, but it has continued as an important spiritual site to the present time.
The existing remains of the monastic site portray only part of its history at its peak that included workshops, guest houses, farm buildings, an infirmary, areas for manuscript writing and copying, and dwellings for monks.
I spent several hours there just wondering around the ruins and walking in the areas around the lakes. Here are a few photos.
Hi Ernie!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're having a great time in Ireland!
I've sent you an email at shaw.ca, if it is still current??????
Nick