We took the St. Kevin's Bus from Dublin to Glendalough, a nice trip of just over an hour in a nice coach. We arrived late and it was not until the next day that we realized that we could see the entrance to the monastery from our bedroom window! The site, containing the remains of seven churches, a round tower, priests house, and numerous other structures is a photographer's delight. I found the site fascinating and encourage you to search for more information on its history and relevance.

St. Kevin's Church or 'Kitchen' in the foreground with the Round Tower in the background.

The Cathedral, the largest structure, built between the 10th and 13th centuries.

A closer look at the gorgeous rocks that were used to build the cathedral.  The gravestones along the side were once laid in the church's floor. — A closer look at the gorgeous rocks that were used to build the cathedral. The gravestones along the side were once laid in the church's floor.

The walls of these structures are thick.  Their nooks and crannies now offer a place for small plants, moss and even birds to call home. — The walls of these structures are thick. Their nooks and crannies now offer a place for small plants, moss and even birds to call home.

We really appreciated how the changing character of light affected the structures and graveyard as a whole.  As the sun came and went through cloud openings and as the day progressed the Tower, for example would change dramatically.  Early… — We really appreciated how the changing character of light affected the structures and graveyard as a whole. As the sun came and went through cloud openings and as the day progressed the Tower, for example would change dramatically. Early sunrise.

Flat light.  Clouds overhead.  We were waiting, waiting, waiting for a sun breakout. — Flat light. Clouds overhead. We were waiting, waiting, waiting for a sun breakout.

Another view across the creek on our way to the Visitor's Center.

Gaelic is still taught in schools and is found on just about every sign in Ireland.  While the Irish have fully embraced English, they treasure their culture and history in Gaelic.  What was fun was to listen to people speaking Gaelic and … — Gaelic is still taught in schools and is found on just about every sign in Ireland. While the Irish have fully embraced English, they treasure their culture and history in Gaelic. What was fun was to listen to people speaking Gaelic and often it was mixed up with English words, just as we hear people speaking Spanish with English.

The two lakes, the monastery and the surrounding hills could have kept us clicking away for several more days.  It  was beautiful and serene. — The two lakes, the monastery and the surrounding hills could have kept us clicking away for several more days. It was beautiful and serene.

The exit or entrance . . . we left to catch our bus back to Dublin.  At the end of the gate you can see the hotel we stayed at. — The exit or entrance . . . we left to catch our bus back to Dublin. At the end of the gate you can see the hotel we stayed at.

We hope you enjoyed our walk-about of the grounds. If you ever get to Ireland, make sure you include Glendalough in your itinerary. The drive from Dublin is short and cheap and on a very nice coach. You can walk to the hotel and wake up looking at the entrance! The hike to the Upper Lake is short enough, and well worth a sunrise shot.

Glendalough's Monastery

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