wicklow mountains

Touring the Wicklow Mountains

Wicklow Mountains National Park are located in the southeast, runing north to south from Dublin to

Wexford. In its midst lies the monastic settlement of Glendalough (“valley of the two lakes”), believed to

have been founded by Saint Kevin.

A stop at a hotel for scones and tea included a great view of the river valley.

The double archway at the entrance to St. Kevin’s monastic community. The original doors would have provided a guard against invaders.

The visitor’s center at Glendalough

“St. Kevin’s Tower” is about

100 feet high, with an entrance 10 feet from the ground.

The tower originally had six

timber floors, connected by

ladders. The four stories above

entrance level are each lit by a small window. Towers such as this were

landmarks for approaching

pilgrims, used as bell towers,

lookout towers, and served as store-houses.

The church yard and cemetery

“St. Kevin’s Church” aka: St. Kevin’s Kitchen.

The church, still intact, has a bell tower.

The valley at Glendalough has a specatular view of the surrounding Wicklow mountains.

The cathedral has thick walls and narrow windows

Grave stones brought into the cathedral for protection from the weather.

The Gothic archway (ruins) marking the 13th century addition to the cathedral.

A 13th century “piscina” (wash basin) used by priests during mass. There is a pipe at the bottom leading outside. Not a reconstruction…they had

plumbing in the 13th century.

A pretty view from the path leading to the lakes at Glendalough.

Lower Lake at Glendalough

A little waterfall in

the Glendalough

Nature Reserve

Beautiful rhododendrons bloom all through the Wicklow valley.

“Meeting of the Waters” --the convergence of the Avonmore River and the Avonbeg River

Avoca Handweavers produces Irish woolens in the village of Avoca, south of Dublin. They have stores all over the world.