Last Updated: 2026-10-20 20:24:02
Glendalough
The valley of the two lakes, an hour south of Dublin in the Wicklow Mountains.
A monastic city in the mountains
In the 6th century, St Kevin came to this glacial valley to live as a hermit. The monastery that grew up around him became one of the great centres of learning in early medieval Ireland. Its ruins include a cathedral, several churches, a carved stone cross and a round tower about 30 m tall that has stood for roughly a thousand years.
Today the site sits inside Wicklow Mountains National Park, with forest and lakeside trails leading off in every direction.
Don't miss
- The round tower and St Kevin's Church, nicknamed St Kevin's Kitchen for its chimney-like belfry.
- The Green Road, a flat woodland path from the monastic site to the Upper Lake.
- The Spinc loop, a boardwalk climb above the Upper Lake with the best views in Wicklow.
- The Wicklow Gap and Sally Gap roads, for bog, mountain and lake scenery on the drive in.
Quick facts
Where: Co. Wicklow
Region: Dublin & Ireland's Ancient East
From Dublin: about 1 h by car; the St Kevin's Bus runs daily
Entry: the monastic site and trails are free
Best time: weekday mornings, any season
Good for: walking, history, day trips
Local tip
The Upper Lake car park fills by late morning on sunny weekends. Park at the visitor centre instead and walk the Green Road; it takes about 25 minutes and is the nicer approach anyway.