Glendalough is easily one of the most mesmerising places I have ever been too. I had heard of the Wicklow Mountains and how they are a spot to visit for people living in Dublin, but I didn't specifically know about this place until an Irish friend of mine suggested it. Before I knew it, I was seeing up bus routes to Glendalough.
Glendalough is a mountain valley. One will be surrounded by mountains and forests there. One will see lush pastures with cows and sheep grazing, serene lakes and glades as well as ruins of ancient churches. This is a fabulous view of the valley I took from the bus:
Glendalough is a mountain valley. One will be surrounded by mountains and forests there. One will see lush pastures with cows and sheep grazing, serene lakes and glades as well as ruins of ancient churches. This is a fabulous view of the valley I took from the bus:
See those little white spots in the photograph? Those are sheep.
The bus stopped at the visitor centre and from there I walked towards the direction of the lakes. There are two main lakes in Glendalough - the lower lake (smaller) and the upper lake (larger). Similar to Howth, there are several walking routes you can take in Glendalough.
While I was on my walk, I passed through this monastic city, which consisted of an ancient church (St. Kevin's church) and a cemetery. I did not take a photograph of the cemetery.
The bus stopped at the visitor centre and from there I walked towards the direction of the lakes. There are two main lakes in Glendalough - the lower lake (smaller) and the upper lake (larger). Similar to Howth, there are several walking routes you can take in Glendalough.
While I was on my walk, I passed through this monastic city, which consisted of an ancient church (St. Kevin's church) and a cemetery. I did not take a photograph of the cemetery.
After this, I passed by the lower lake:
It had been a bright and sunny day up till this point. Somewhere along my walk after passing by the lower lake, it started raining. I had to take shelter in an information office near the upper lake, and I have absolutely no regrets doing that as it turned out to be one of the most memorable points of my trip. The information centre is an adorable house-like building and it contains not only maps of Glendalough and posters about the geographic history of the place, but also taxidermied animals (the animals displayed are found dead and then stuffed, not intentionally killed by the staff of the information office) found in this part of Ireland. Why, their attic is home to a colony of bats, and there is a television on the ground floor that gives a live footage of the bats' activities! One of the most interesting things I learned about Glendalough was that the entire mountain valley was a sea, 400 million years ago.
When the rain subsided, I headed back out to see the upper lake. My, it was breathtaking. One can see a stream flowing down from the mountains into the lake. If you are lucky enough to come here on a sunny day, I guarantee it will be an experience you will not forget.
There are sufficient food options here. There is a hotel - Glendalough hotel - where you can dine and even stay for a night or two (great idea!). Apart from that, there are coffee shops, ice-cream stalls, and kiosks for other snacks especially near the upper lake.
Now, before I end off, this is a photo of a small stream at some place in Glendalough. You can see the rocks and pebbles properly - that's how crystal clear the water is.
Now, before I end off, this is a photo of a small stream at some place in Glendalough. You can see the rocks and pebbles properly - that's how crystal clear the water is.
September 2017