Glendalough

"Gleann Dá Loch" in Irish, meaning 'valley of two lakes' is a glacial valley in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is known for an Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin. St. Kevin is an Irish saint, renowned for finding and being the first abbot of Glendalough monastery.

Historical window

Kevin was a descendant of one of the ruling families in Leinster (one of the four provinces, located in the southeast of Ireland). He was under the care of three holy man: Eoghan, Lochan and Eanna. During this period, he went to Glendalough. He was to return later, with a small group of monks to find a monastery where the 'two rivers form a confluence.' Incorporated in Kevin's writing, he apparently fought "knights" at Glendalough; scholars today believe this refers to his process of self-examination and his personal temptations. His fame as a holy man spread and he attracted numerous followers. He died in about 618. For the next centuries, Glendalough flourished, and the Irish Annals (records of events of years) contain references to the deaths of abbots and raids on the settlement.

If you look at pictures of the place, you might notice a significant building of a round tower. The Round Tower is a fine tower, built of mica-slate and interspersed with granite. It is about 30 meters high, with an entrance 3.5 meters from the base. The conical roof was rebuilt in 1876 using the original stones. It is believed to have served as bell tower, an observatory place for approaching visitors, but also fulfilled the purpose of being a storehouse and a refuge place in times of attack.

Interesting facts

Circa 1042, oak timber from Glendalough was used to build the second longest Viking longship ever recorded. A modern replica of that ship was built in 2004 and is nowadays located in Roskilde, Denmark.

The Book of Glendalough was written there about 1131. It can be presently found in the Bodleian Library in Oxford. It ranks as one of the three major surviving Irish manuscripts to have been produced in pre-Norman Ireland.

Nature, geography, wildlife and vegetation

The valley of Glendalough was formed throughout the last ice age by a glacier which left a moraine across the valley mouth. The Poulanass River, which plunges into the valley from the south, via the Poulanass Waterfall, created a delta, which eventually divided the original lake in two. Surrounding Glendalough are the mountains of Camaderry and large massif of Conavalla, which dominates the head of the valley. Additionally, the peaks of Lugduff and Mullacor.

Glendalough provide home to some of Ireland's newest breeding species, such as the goosander and the great spotted woodpecker. Furthermore, some of the rarest, for example the common redstart and the wood warbler. More species of birds can be found there.

The semi-natural oak woodland, which flourishes around Glendalough was formerly coppiced (cut to the base at regular intervals) to produce wood, charcoal and bark. In the springtime, the oakwood floor is carpeted with a diverse display of bluebells, polypody fern, bracken and various species of mosses. The understorey is mainly of hazel, holly and mountain ash.

There are many splendid trails to be found around the area. There are nine way-marked trails of varying difficulty that are maintained by the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Glendalough's south-facing granite cliffs, situated on slopes of Camaderry above the north-western end of the valley offer a great spot for adventurous rock climbers. It has been an official rock-climbing location since 1948. On the other side of the upper lake are the north-facing cliffs, which are not considered suitable for rock-climbing.

Glendalough has a well-maintained visitor center that provides detailed information about the site's history, archeology, and natural environment. It also features exhibits and interactive displays.

The beauty and serenity of Glendalough have inspired poets, writers, and artists over the centuries, which made it a subject of Irish folklore and literature.

I hope you found this subject of writing at least a little interesting and I wish you all well! Take care of yourselves! Bye :D 

resources: wikipedia and other internet websites