A panoramic view of the scenic Upper Lake

The Glendalough Monastic Site is one of the most recommended Dublin day trips. Aside from being free, it promises to be unique. Tranquil, secluded, and holy are the best words to describe this place. So if you’re looking for something of this variety then don’t even hesitate. Book now!

Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch in Irish – which means Valley of Two Lakes) is one of the most important early Christian sites in Ireland. You will find it south of Dublin, hidden in the valleys of Wicklow Mountains. And hidden is not a figure of speech. One of the challenging parts of getting there is, well, getting there. Most tourists hesitate to visit the site because it’s insufficiently signposted, but that’s one of the things that make the experience unique and what keeps the place peaceful and sacred.

The valley boasts of tranquil lakes, towers, churches and ruins – all intertwined in some of the best nature paths in the world. All visits are recommended to begin at the visitor center, where an exhibition and audiovisual presentation is available for a fee. But since we’re already giving you the best presentation right here, you can skip that altogether.

On the right you'll see the tower, while on the left is the "Kitchen"

The most important site in Glendalough is St. Kevin’s monastic site (pictured above: St. Kevin’s Kitchen on the left and the monastery tower on the right). Kevin was once the Abbot of Glendalough. Known to be a hermit priest, he chose the live in the site precisely because of its remoteness. But followers soon came to him, and they elected to build temporary buildings like churches and houses right below his house. Soon, these buildings grew in number, hinting the priest and his followers to build a monastery in the 6^th century. They chose the perfect spot: the monastery’s location delineates the Lower Lake and Upper Lake – making it the central piece of Glendalough. The monastery has its very own round tower and Celtic High Cross (now known as the St. Kevin’s Cross). The 33 meter tall tower was thought to be built during the era of the Viking invasions. It was believed that the tower held the religious books and chalices of the monastery. It was a great idea, as tower still remains even though the monastery now lies in ruin; it was later destroyed by English troops in 1398.

There are many walking paths around Glendalough. In the valley alone, there are already 9 trails maintained by the Wicklow Mountains National Park – all of which are color-coded for tourists. The 9 trials all begin at a central information office located near the Upper Lake. Maps can be purchased at the same office. Also, there is a long distance trail that crosses to nearby County Carlow called the Wicklow Way. A word to the wise: Be wary of your steps when walking along the paths. There have been injuries before and you wouldn’t want to ruin your trip with an unexpected accident of any kind.

Another enjoyable adventure in Glendalough is rock climbing. Granite cliffs, found on the hillside above the north-western part of the valley, have been popular rock climbing destinations since 1948. The 1993 guidebook lists about 110 known routes spread over several sectors: Twin Buttress – divided in the middle by a seasonal waterfall; The Upper Cliffs – high up to the east of Twin Buttress; Acorn Buttress – found below Twin Buttress a popular base-camp location; Hobnail Buttress – easy climbing on the east. The routes vary in difficulty up to grade E5/6a. The granite rocks provide excellent friction, and together with the variety of grades, it has made the site the favorite destination for both local and international climbers. The Irish Mountaineering Club has operated a climbing hut in the area since the 50s.