Glendalough

(Local Name: Gleann da Locha) The celebrated monastic settlement of Glendalough (Gleann da Locha, "Glen of the Two Lakes") lies 25mi/40km to the south of Dublin, a short distance inland from the Irish east coast.

From Laragh, on the R755 which runs south from Bray through the hills to Arklow, the visitor can turn off into a wooded valley opening out to the west. After rather more than 1mile/2km the village of Glendalough comes into view, famed both for its monastic remains and for its scenic beauty.

Around the two lakes from which the place takes its name are the impressive, and for the most part well-preserved, remains (National Monument) of a religious center which was once of great importance in Ireland. The valley of the River Glenealo, surrounded by hills between 2,130 and 2,460ft (650 and 750m) and rapidly narrowing further upstream, offers ample opportunities for walkers, climbers and rock climbers. In the sixth century St Kevin, seeking solitude, settled in this remote valley as a hermit. His piety and learning, however, soon attracted so many disciples that he founded a monastery. When he died in 618 at a great age Glendalough's great days were only beginning: after his time the Glendalough school is said to have had more than 1,000 students. The annals tell of Viking raids and a number of fires in the 12th century. An Abbot of Glendalough, Laurence O'Toole, became Archbishop of Dublin in 1163. The Anglo-Normans made the monastery subject to the see of Dublin; then, after a fire in 1398, the monastery steadily declined. In 1875-1880 the buildings were restored, and since then they have been well maintained.

The visitor center has an audio-visual show and interesting exhibition.