Page 136 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

134 BACK ROADS IRELAND

5 Glendalough
Co Wicklow
Glendalough (Gleann Da Locha in Irish), or “valley of the two lakes”,
was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age. A place of great
beauty and tranquillity, it is the setting for a monastic settlement
founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, a descendant of the royal
house of Leinster who rejected his privileged life to become a
hermit in a cave in this valley. It would be easy to spend half a day
here, exploring the monastery ruins and walking around the two
lakes, perhaps stopping to picnic. There are two information points
– the Glendalough Visitor Centre, which tells the story of the
monastery, and the Wicklow Mountains National Park Information
Office, at the Upper Lake, where visitors can find out more about the
park, valley and walking trails in the area.

A two-hour walking tour served as a belfry and a beacon for
Above The two granite arches of the Most of the monastic ruins (open approaching visitors, and was a place
gatehouse at Glendalough daily) lie between the entrance and of security for the monks during
the Lower Lake. From the Visitor times of attack.
Centre 1 follow the Straight ahead are the
path behind the centre monastic buildings 3,
and cross the bridge. including the Cathedral,
Turn right onto the dating from the 12th
Green Road, which leads century and the largest
around the complex, building in the complex;
and walk through the just to the south is
main gateway 2 – St Kevin’s Cross. Behind
originally two storeys – these is The Priest’s
with two granite arches. House, reconstructed
VISITING GLENDALOUGH
To the right is the from the original stones,
Glendalough Visitor Centre landmark Round Tower, which was a place of
Glendalough, Bray; 0404 45352; one of the finest towers Round Tower at burial for local clergy.
www.heritageireland.ie; open daily of its type: 30 m (100 ft) Glendalough Further along the path is
Wicklow Mountains National Park high and with its entrance St Kevin’s Church, known
Information Office 3 m (11 ft) from the ground (it would as St Kevin’s Kitchen, as well as the
Upper Lake, Glendalough; 0404 45425; have been reached by ladders that remains of St Kieran’s Church,
www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie could be hauled up from inside), it commemorating the founder of
Clara Lara Funpark
Outdoor adventure playground 6 km Below The tranquillity of Glendalough, which attracted the 6th-century hermit St Kevin
(4 miles) from Glendalough off the
R755, between Laragh and Rathdrum.
Designed for children under 12.
Vale of Clara, Rathdrum; 0404 46161;
www.claralara.ie; open May weekends,
Jun–Aug daily
WHERE TO STAY IN
GLENDALOUGH
Derrymore House inexpensive
Attractive lakeside guesthouse
offering en suite rooms, including
three family rooms, and hospitality.
Packed lunches provided for walkers.
Lake Road; 0404 45493;
www.derrymorehouse.com
Glendalough Hotel moderate
A family-run hotel in Glendalough,
popular with passing tours.
Glendalough; 0404 45135;
www.glendaloughhotel.com
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200

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