Page 146 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

144  IRELAND REGION B Y REGION

e Glendalough
Road map D4. Co Wicklow.
@ St Kevin’s Bus from Dublin. Ruins
Open 9:30am–5pm (to 6pm mid-
Mar–mid-Oct) daily. 8 in summer.
Visitor Centre Tel 0404 45325/45352.
Open daily. Closed 23–30 Dec. &
∑ glendalough.ie
The steep, wooded slopes
of Glendalough, the “valley
of the two lakes”, harbour one
of Ireland’s most atmospheric
monastic sites. Established by View along the Upper Lake at Glendalough
St Kevin in the 6th century, the
settlement was sacked time and the 10th to 12th centuries. the 1870s using stones found
again by the Vikings but never- Many were restored during the inside the tower. The roofless
theless flourished for over 600 1870s. The main group of ruins Cathedral nearby dates mainly
years. Decline set in only after lies east of the Lower Lake, but from the 10th and 13th
English forces partially razed the other buildings associated with centuries and is the valley’s
site in 1398, though it functioned St Kevin are by the Upper Lake. largest ruin. At the centre
as a monastic centre until the Here, where the scenery is of the churchyard stands
Dissolution of the Monasteries much wilder, you the tiny Priests’ House,
in 1539 (see p42). Pilgrims kept on are better able to whose name derives from
coming to Glendalough even enjoy the the fact that it was a burial
after that, particularly on St Kevin’s tranquillity of place for local clergy. The
Feast Day, 3 June, which was Glendalough and worn carving of a robed
often a riotous event (see p34). to escape the figure above the door is
The age of the buildings is crowds which possibly of St Kevin,
uncertain, but most date from inevitably flanked by two disci ples.
descend on the St Kevin’s Kitchen East of here, is St Kevin’s
site. Try to arrive as Cross, which dates from
early as possible in the day, the 8th century. Made of granite,
particularly during the peak it is one of the best preserved
tourist season. You enter the of Glendalough’s High Crosses.
monastery through the double Below, nestled in the lush valley,
stone arch of the Gatehouse, a minuscule oratory with a
the only surviving example in steeply pitched stone roof is a
Ireland of a gateway into a charming sight. Erected in the
monastic enclosure. 11th century or even earlier, it
A short walk leads to a is popularly known as St Kevin’s
graveyard with a Round Tower Kitchen; this is perhaps because
in one corner. Reaching 30 m its belfry, thought to be a later
(100 ft) in height, this is one of addition, resembles a chimney.
Remains of the Gatehouse, the original the finest of its kind in the One of the earliest churches at
entrance to Glendalough country. Its cap was rebuilt in Glendalough, St Mary’s, lies
Plan of Glendalough
The Visitor Centre explains the history of the Round tower Gatehouse
monastery and is the best place to start a tour. St Mary’s Church Cathedral
You can see both groups of ruins, which lie St Kevin’s Kitchen
less than 1.5 km (1 mile) apart, in about
two hours, but to make the most Lower
of the site allow a full day. Lake

Key
Road
Upper Lake Path
Teampall-na-Skellig Reefert Church 0 metres 500
St Kevin’s St Kevin’s Cell 0 yards 500
Bed
For key to symbols see back flap

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm