Glendalough, one of Ireland's most important and most beautiful sites.
The granite arches of the gateway to the ancient monastic settlement of Glendalough, unique in Ireland, would probably have originally had a timber roof and two stories, imagine how grand they would have seemed when entering them in medieval times.
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The monastic site, sits among the Wicklow Mountains National Park and was founded by St Kevin in the 6th Century.
In fact this settlement became a ‘monastic city’ The name Gleann Dá loch means valley of two lakes. Glendalough is also known as the city of the seven churches.
St Kevin was a descendant of one of the ruling families of Leinster (the Provence where Glendalough is located) and he studied as a boy in this location under the mentorship of 3 holy men and after allegedly having been blessed by an angel. Returning, as an adult with some monks, he founded the monastic site. He died here in 618, but the monastic site was to flourish afterwards for the next 6 centuries.
You may have heard about a replica Viking ship being built in Denmark in 2004. This was the second longest recorded Viking longship at around 30 meters length. It was a copy of an original built from felled oak from here, in Glendalough in 1042.
The remains of the monastic site comprise a number of ecclesiastical buildings, the most impressive of which is the 12th /13th Century St Peter & St Paul’s Cathedral which has a nave, chancel and sacristry
Records from 1176 indicate that the site was “plundered by foreigners” presumably Vikings, and again in 1398 the site was destroyed by English forces and left a ruin, though it still functioned as an important church and place of pilgrimage after this.
Among the ruins sited here is a 30 meter high round tower, something that must have been as impressive as the tallest of skyscrapers back in medieval times. This round tower is built from mica slate and granite. Its entrance is 3.5 meters from the base and the tower would originally have had 6 timber floors connected by ladders. These towers served four purposes, they were landmarks for approaching visiters, bell towers, store houses and as used as a refuge during attacks.
When we describe this site as a monastic city it’s essential not to understate its importance. As well as farm buildings and dwellings for the monks and the lay population, the site also included workshops for copying and writing manuscripts and even a medieval hospital. But this was a scholarly place that had importance throughout Europe.
There are several other ruined buildings of significance on the site , but we’re focusing here only on the 3 most complete.
St Kevin’s church or St Kevin’s kitchen, as it is known, is a 12th Century Barrel-vaulted oratory. It was known as St kevin’s Kitchen as the belfry, with its conical cap, was thought to resemble a kitchen chimney.
On leaving the monastic settlement we enter the beautiful walking trails of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. There are 9 trails in all, most of them around the two lakes of Glendalough. We briefly visit the upper lake today, but will take a closer look at the lower lake and some of the other monuments that are dotted around the area in another video.
You can see how the calmness and beauty of this site was inspirational for the holy men, scholars and pilgrims that made their way here.
St Kevin is said to have initially lived a hermit’s life for 7 years on his first visit to Glendalough. He slept in a cave, 4 ft wide and 3 ft high, now known as St kevin’s bed cut into the face of the mountain overlooking this lake. But this accommodation was an upgrade from the hollow of a tree that he lived in originally!
As we return to the monastic site we can see the round tower that has signaled the arrival at this important site to visitors for centuries.
Official Website:
www.glendalough.ie
Wikipedia Site:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glendal...
Пікірлер: 31
Holy & Blessed Feast of St Kevin of Glendalough may St Kevin Bless You All ❤
It is the first touristic place I visited when I first arrived in Ireland from homeland France. It's a magic and beautiful place. It was in 1994. I stayed in Arklow. I made very good friends in county Wicklow. We're in 2022 and I'm still in contact with the Irish family that welcame me at that time. Each time I visit them I have the feeling meet members of my family. They make me feel at home. Glendalough is forever in my heart like the whole Wicklow County. Thank you for this beautiful and interesting video.
@nakedireland
2 жыл бұрын
Je suis tellement heureux que vous ayez une expérience aussi positive de votre séjour en Irlande. Ça fait vraiment chaud au cœur. Je peux dire la même chose de votre propre pays. Je l’ai visité plusieurs fois quand mes enfants étaient jeunes et j’ai maintenant une maison dans la belle Corrèze, ou j’espère prendre ma retraite bientôt.
This is an incredible place of great historic and religious importance and significance. You feel that when you are walking around this beautiful setting.
@nakedireland
2 жыл бұрын
Couldn’t agree more. Great place to visit.
Truly a place of beauty and sorrow rolled into one. A stunning setting. Thanks so very much for sharing this video with us.
@nakedireland
4 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching, so glad you liked it.
I visited in 2018. Glendalough felt like home to me. I didn't want to leave. I plan on returning to one of my very favorite places on the planet as soon as I can. 💚
@nakedireland
Жыл бұрын
It’s a very special place Cynthia, I don’t blame you for wanting to get back there.
I visited in May 2023 and it was like walking on Holy ground. Such a beautiful and peaceful place. If you visit Ireland then this is a must see.
@nakedireland
Жыл бұрын
Well Clifton, of course it is Holy ground, and the stomping ground of St Kevin. A very learned place too! Thanks for watching and I hope you’ll discover more Naked Ireland videos.
Very impressive! Reminds me exactly of the visits we made 8 to 9 years ago when we lived nearby in Wicklow. Moving memories rekindled!
@nakedireland
Жыл бұрын
I’m glad this brought back pleasant thoughts, yes, and who wouldn’t be impressed by this place.
Definitely worth a visit
@nakedireland
Жыл бұрын
It gets a bit busy, though, in the summer Eileen. Prob this time of year is a good time to go there, don’t you think?
@eileenyoung6143
Жыл бұрын
@@nakedireland yes you most probably right I was there 3 Saturdays ago with friend and Spanish students. Luckily it was a beautiful day 😊
@nakedireland
Жыл бұрын
Yes, Sept is the perfect month perhaps, but I bet it was still packed with people even then?
Stopped there today! Worth a visit
@nakedireland
Жыл бұрын
It’s probably not as packed at this time of year JW. It’s hard to move there in the summer, so as long as it was dry, great!
I visited Glendalough in March, 2018. Amazing site. Walked to both lakes, but one side of the valley was so icy we couldn't climb the hill. Strolled the boardwalk alongside the road instead. I hope to visit again on a day trip from Dublin this summer, and take the actual guided tour. This and the Rock of Cashel are must-see Christian tourist destinations. Clonmacnoise is also on my pilgrimage bucket list.
@nakedireland
2 жыл бұрын
Great advice there Patrick, Rock of Cashel and Clonmacnoise. I’ll follow up and do videos of both.
@patrickdorn8652
2 жыл бұрын
@@nakedireland Love your channel. Thanks so much.
@nakedireland
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Patrick.
the tower is marvelous, modern builders today would struggle to match it's secrets in construction, i enjoy watching this video. regards.
@nakedireland
2 жыл бұрын
How would you construct that without cranes etc etc! Mind boggling!
@g-dcomplex1609
2 жыл бұрын
@@nakedireland you mention in the video that the tower once had six floors with stairs to the top, if that's the case? then whats holding it in shape if it's hollow inside?, mind boggling yes, i wonder if there is mortar used or is every flagstone dry fit? hard to tell from the images, thanks again.
@nakedireland
2 жыл бұрын
I’m guessing there would have to be some kind of mortar used?? But that’s not my field to be honest.
@g-dcomplex1609
2 жыл бұрын
@@nakedireland looks like some kind of cement holds it all together, i'll have to go take a look myself 😃
@nakedireland
2 жыл бұрын
Carry out a full structural survey and give us all a report!