Glendalough has been a place of pilgrimage from the time of St Kevin (early sixth Century) and set in the beauty of Mountains and Lakes.  It is just one hour's drive south of Dublin City in the County of Wicklow.  This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century.  Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses.

Glendalough is one of my favorite places in which to wander and stroll.  I like to stroll through the ruins and sit by the lake gazing across at the cave where St. Kevin is reputed to have lived sometime between 500 to 600 a.d.  I cannot imagine what it must have been like to live there at that time.

There are many "tall tales" told about St. Kevin, the founder of Glendalough but two of my favorites are:

  • During a time of drought St Kevin fed his community with salmon brought to him by an otter.

  • Spending hours in silent prayer, a blackbird laid one of her eggs in the Saint's outstretched hand and he remained in that position until it was hatched.