Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough
Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Dublin audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~180 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type ruins
- Suggested visit ~180 min
- Dublin Dublin guide
About Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough
A sixth-century monastic city founded by St Kevin in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, two lakes, a round tower, Romanesque cathedral ruins, and wild mountain scenery, just 45 minutes from Dublin.
Glendalough, 'the Glen of Two Lakes' in Irish, is one of the most significant early Christian monastic sites in Ireland and one of the most beautiful valleys in the country. It lies in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, about 45 kilometres south of Dublin.
The monastery was founded by St Kevin in the sixth century. Kevin was a hermit monk who sought solitude in the remote glacial valley; according to tradition, he lived for seven years in a small cave above the upper lake. His reputation for holiness attracted other monks, and over time a significant monastic community grew up around his hermitage.
The site flourished from the 6th to the 12th century, becoming one of the great centres of Celtic Christianity and Irish learning. Viking raids in the 9th century and later Norman attacks damaged the community, and the monastery finally declined after the arrival of the Normans.
Today the principal remains include a well-preserved round tower (30 metres tall), the ruined Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, St Kevin's Church (known as 'St Kevin's Kitchen' for its chimney-like bell tower), and the atmospheric ruins of several other churches and monastic buildings.
Did you know? Glendalough was founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, he is said to have lived as a hermit for seven years in a cave above the upper lake before attracting disciples and founding the monastery.
How long should you spend at Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough?
Plan about ~180 min at Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough worth visiting?
Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough is one of the 42 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Dublin, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Dublin
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