Take the N11 to Kilmacanogue and turn off to take the R755 to Roundwood – on to Annamoe and bear right to Laragh. Take the R756 and fork left on to the R757 to Glendalough, and proceed to the car park at N53 - 00.428; W006 – 20.657. There are barriers at the car park entrance, €4 will get you in, but if you were quick, you might get two cars for the price of one, I imagine!
Traveling by bus?
Buses leave Dublin for Glendalough at the following times : Mon – Sat : 11.30 & 18.00; Sundays & Bank Holidays : 11.30 & 19.00. )
Buses leave Glendalough : Mon – Sat : 09.45 & 16.15; Sundays and Bank Holidays : 09.45 & 17.30 (The journey takes about 1.5 hours)
Check the timetable before you leave – it may change!
Take the boardwalk from the Visitor Centre to the car park.
From the car park, take the road/track along the north side of the lake, past the spoils of Van Diemen’s mines (lead) and on up the zig-zag miners track to follow the stream on the northern side, to the cache site. You can then continue on over a bridge to follow the track on to the sleeper path over the Spink, with magnificent views, back to the car park (You could also take in Spink GCGQTV on your way)
Glendalough, with its famous round tower is one of the most enduring images of County Wicklow. A truly beautiful location which is steeped history.
The English name Glendalough comes from the Irish Gleann Dá Locha which translates to "The valley of the two lakes".
It was here that St. Kevin founded a monastery in the sixth century. From this beginning the site grew to become famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe - indeed, Ireland was known as the "Island of Saints and Scholars". Standing amid the remains of this monastic settlement, one can feel a powerful sense of peace and tranquility.
The settlement continued to expand for 600 years and was destroyed in 1398. The buildings which survive date from the 8th and 12th centuries. The most famous is, of course, the round tower which is 34m high and 16m in circumference at the base. A cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses also survived.
KEVIN Also known as Caoimhghin; Coemgen; Coemgenus; Comegen; Keivin; Kevin of Glen da locha; Kevin of Glendalough
Memorial - 3 June
Profile - Son of Coemlog and Coemell, Leinster nobility. Baptized by Saint Cronan of Roscrea, and educated by Saint Petroc of Cornwall from age seven. Lived with monks from age 12. Studied for the priesthood in Cell na Manach (Killnamanagh). Priest, ordained by bishop Lugidus. Monk. Acquaintance of Saint Comgall, Saint Columba, Saint Cannich, and Saint Kieran of Clonmacnois.
Following his ordination, he lived as a hermit for seven years into a cave at Glendalough, a Bronze Age tomb now known as Saint Kevin's Bed, to which he was reportedly led by an angel. He wore skins, ate the nettles and herbs that came to hand, and spent his time in prayer. Word of his holiness spread, and he attracted followers, including Saint Moling. Founded the monastery at Glendalough, which included relics brought back during a pilgrimage to Rome. This house, in turn, founded several others, and around it grew a town which became a see city, though now subsumed into the archdiocese of Dublin. Served as abbot for several years. When he saw that the monastery was well-established, he withdrew to live as a hermit. Four years later, however, he returned to Glendalough at the entreaty of his monk, and served as abbot until his death at age 120. King Colman of Ui Faelain entrusted Kevin with raising his son.
Noted as a man who did not always like the company of men - but was at home with the animals, as some of the legends surrounding him show:
During a drought, Kevin fed his monks with salmon brought to him by an otter. When one of the monks considered making gloves out of the otter's pelt, it left and never returned.
- Once during Lent, while he held his arms outstretched in prayer, a blackbird laid an egg in the Kevin's hand. He remained in that position until the baby bird hatched.
- A cow which habitually licked Kevin's clothes while the saint was in prayer gave as much milk as 50 other cows.
- Lacking milk to feed the son of King Colman, Kevin prayed for help. A doe arrived to provide for the baby. When the doe was later killed by a wolf, Kevin chastised the killer; the wolf then provided the milk herself.
- A young man with severe epilepsy received a vision that he would be cured by eating an apple. There were, however, no apple trees about. Kevin, seeing the lad's need, ordered a willow to produce apples; twenty yellow apples appeared on the tree.
- In his old age, King O'Tool of Glendalough made a pet of a goose. As time passed, the goose also became aged and weak, and finally unable to fly. Hearing of Kevin's sanctity and power, the pagan king sent for him, and asked that he make the beloved goose young. Kevin asked for a payment of whatever land the goose would fly over. As the goose could no longer take flight, O'Toole agreed. When Kevin touched the bird, it grew young, and flew over the entire valley that was used to found the monastery of Glendalough.
- A boar was being chased by a group of hunters with their dogs. It ran to where Kevin sat praying under a tree, and cowered beside him for protection. When the dogs saw the saint in prayer, they laid on their stomachs, and would not approach the boar. When the hunters decided they would ignore the man and kill the boar, a flock of birds settled in the tree above the praying saint. The hunters took this as a sign, and left man and beast alone.
-Born - c.498 at the Fort of the White Fountain, Leinster, Ireland
Died - 3 June 618 of natural causes
Name Meaning - fair begotten; of gentle birth