If you’re planning a day trip from Dublin then a visit to the Glendalough Monastic Site should be on your list of places to explore. With a rental car and a beautiful drive through the Wicklow Mountains, you’ll be standing in one of the most important historical sites in all of Ireland. This is a travel guide that will highlight a few good stops along the way.

The Glendalough Monastic Site — Where the First Irish Legends Were Written

Before I go into the highlights of this day trip, I want to give you some information on the Glendalough Monastic Site.

Glendalough, meaning “the glen of two lakes,” is probably one of Ireland’s most important locations in relation to legend, myth, and lore. It is there, at the Monastic Settlement of Glendalough, where the earliest known written Irish stories that survive were transcribed.

The Leabhar na h-Uidhre (Book of the Dun Cow) and the Book of Leinster were copied as far back as the 12th century, and are thought to have been created in writing somewhere around the 7th century. Before then, these stories were passed down from generations by word of mouth.

Exploring Co Wicklow

Co Wicklow is known as “the Garden of Ireland” for its rolling mountains, steep valleys, and emerald landscapes. While driving through the winding road that leads to Sally Gap and onward to its village of Glendalough, you can’t help but feel like you are wrapped in a quilt of greens, yellows, and if you’re lucky, blue skies.

On the way to Glendalough, you can stop off at Montpelier Hill, the pedestal of Dublin’s eerie and ominous Hellfire Club where Visions of the Past writer Ed Hannon and I explored on our way to the Glendalough Monastic Site.

The Wicklow Mountains

Before we went too deep into the mountains, we decided to stop for a quick bite in Enniskerry. Enniskerry is a quaint country village with charming homes and shaded, winding roads.

Ed was nice enough to introduce me to Poppies, where I had the best Shepard’s pie ever. It was perfect, I highly recommend you go there if you are taking this journey.

I found the drive to Glendalough to be serene and relaxing. I don’t think I have ever gone that long in a car without seeing anyone. I can see why Saint Kevin chose this glacial valley as his retreat over a thousand years ago.

There we were, wrapped in these mountains and valleys as far as I could see; time made no difference here, and the only company we had were the magpies and the sheep. It was complete solitude. It was nothing short of just what I needed.

We stopped at Glenmacnass Waterfall which lends one of Ireland’s most magnificent views of the Wicklow Mountains. On a clear day, the site is simply stunning. 

This is a perfect spot to have a packed lunch and enjoy the clean, fresh air. We took in the purity of the landscape, but eventually, we had to press onward to the Monastic Settlement of Glendalough.

The Glendalough Monastic Site Experience

There is a stillness in time and a quiet in the air that embraces your senses when you arrive at the Monastic Settlement of Glendalough. We were standing on a fortress of time at the Glendalough Monastic Site. Nearly 1,400 years welcomed us into one of the most peaceful and magical glens in all of Ireland.

This sanctuary, founded by Saint Kevin in the early 6th century, was a sanctuary for deep connection with nature and spirituality. Most of what is left standing now is from the 10th through 12th centuries, as much of it was destroyed by English troops in 1398.

Today, the Glendalough Monastic Site stands to be described as one of the most important sites of monastic ruins in all of Ireland. It was here in the quiet and peaceful serenity where Saint Kevin was completely submerged in nature, and where he found peace.

Ed and I were fortunate enough to be among just a few onlookers at the settlement. The air was brisk and twilight was upon us which made the shadows of the ruins begin to take the stage.

Click through the photos for more details about the settlement and St. Kevin

Driving through the Wicklow Mountains on the way to the Sally Gap by Christa Thompson

In the Wicklow Mountains, Ireland by Christa Thompson 2013

Where I enjoyed the best Shepard’s Pie in the teenie weenie town of Enniskerry, after a hike to the Hellfire Club by Christa Thompson

Where I enjoyed the best Shepard’s Pie in the teenie weenie town of Enniskerry, after a hike to the Hellfire Club by Christa Thompson

The very small downtown Enniskerry where I enjoyed a fine Shepard’s Pie at Poppie’s by Christa Thompson

Where I enjoyed the best Shepard’s Pie in the teenie weenie town of Enniskerry, after a hike to the Hellfire Club by Christa Thompson

Where I enjoyed the best Shepard’s Pie in the teenie weenie town of Enniskerry, after a hike to the Hellfire Club by Christa Thompson

The amazing Shepard’s Pie at Poppies in Enniskerry, Ireland!! Oh my goodness… by Christa Thompson

Glencree valley while driving through the Wicklow Mountains on the way to the Sally Gap by Christa Thompson

Driving through the Wicklow Mountains on the way to the Sally Gap by Christa Thompson

Sheep, everywhere sheep! by Christa Thompson

They are everywhere… by Christa Thompson

More… by Christa Thompson

Driving through the Wicklow Mountains by Christa Thompson

Glenmacnass Waterfall in the Wicklow Mountains on the way to the Sally Gap by Christa Thompson

This is Glenmacnass Waterfall while driving through the Wicklow Mountains by Christa Thompson

Driving through the Wicklow Mountains by Christa Thompson

Blanket bog! Driving through the Wicklow Mountains on the way to the Sally Gap by Christa Thompson

Driving through the Wicklow Mountains on the way to the Sally Gap by Christa Thompson

St. Kevin founded this monastery in the early 6th century. He chose a location, far from civilization, in the glen between 2 glacial rivers… He wanted to find peace and tranquility with the world. Photo by Christa Thompson

Here you can see St. Kevin’s church with the Round Tower of Glendalough behind it. photo by Christa Thompson

St. Kevin spent 7 years as a hermit priest …photo by Christa Thompson

Another view of the Round Tower of Glendalough alongside the burial grounds. Photo by Christa Thompson

He wore only animal skins and walked barefoot. Photo by Christa Thompson

I couldn’t think of a more peaceful place to connect with our spirituality… Photo by Christa Thompson

Detail of St. Kevin’s Church photo by Christa Thompson

Here I am walking alongside St. Kevin’s Church, heading towards the tower, photo by Christa Thompson

In detail… photo by Christa Thompson

There must be over a thousand tombstones here… there were so many angles and rich tones to capture. Photo by Christa Thompson

Here, I caught Ed Hannon taking it all in, photo by Christa Thompson

In detail… photo by Christa Thompson

I thought this was odd… a well-made trail beneath these two headstones. Who would be walking under there? wee people? Hmm, I certainly could only fit if I crawled through… photo by Christa Thompson

In detail…photo by Christa Thompson

The view from the cemetery to the church, photo by Christa Thompson

In detail… by Christa Thompson

I love twilight, the sun makes the best entrances into pictures during this time of day… by Christa Thompson

A close up of the Round Tower of Glendalough, by Christa Thompson

The animals own this place now… in the Round Tower, by Christa Thompson

In detail… by Christa Thompson

I’m actually in front of the lens for once! LOL photo by Ed Hannon

Surrounding St. Kevin’s Church by Christa Thompson

Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul by Christa Thompson

Looking out of the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul by Christa Thompson

Grave slabs in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul by Christa Thompson

In detail, the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul by Christa Thompson

In detail…cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, by Christa Thompson

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul by Christa Thompson

Tombstones in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul by Christa Thompson

by Christa Thompson

In detail… by Christa Thompson

The Glendalough Monastic Site is inspiring and uplifting, so take a day trip from Dublin to visit. Be surrounded by majestic tranquil scenery full of lakes, rivers, mountains, hills, and valleys. Lose yourself to the beauty of this area.