Glendalough, Ireland: Monastic Settlement of Saint Kevin
About Glendalough:
One of the earliest, and perhaps most important, Monastic communities can be found here in Glendalough. The history goes back to the 6th Century, when a young man named Kevin came here looking for a place where he could commune with God without the distractions of his worldly life. He chose a beautiful part of Ireland and lived first in a tree, and then later in a cave in the area. As word of his holy life and knowledge spread he began to attract a following.
Unfortunately the area also became a spot of pillaging as well, from Norsemen and others who laid waste the place on several occasions over the next 500 years or so.
Then, in the 12th Century, St. Laurence O’Toole came to the area before moving on to become the Archbishop of Dublin.
What you see today is the remains of the settlement.
Traveling to Glendalough:
Address: Glendalough, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Tel: +353 404 45352 / 45325 Fax: +353 404 45626
email: george.mcclafferty@opw.ie
Click here for the official Glendalough Visitors Centre website.
Photos are given Courtesy National Monuments Service, Dept of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht.
Copyright is National Monuments Service, Dept of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht
