VISITING THE GLENDALOUGH MONASTIC CITY IN THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS, IRELAND
Out of all of the places that I visited in Ireland during my time living in Dublin, Glendalough was probably my favorite. This little village was not on my radar initially, but during a day trip to Kilkenny from the city I made a stop over in the old monastic city while heading down south. It absolutely blew my mind.
At the edge of Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough comes from the Gaelic name ‘Gleann dá Loch”, which translates to ‘Valley Of The Two Lakes’ as the medieval village on the Glendalough lakes lays between two cliffs in a beautiful valley formed by glaciers during the ice age. The town itself dates all the way back to the 500s, but most of the structures and their ruins are from the years around 900-1100…that is insanity.
All of those centuries of history in the old monastic city and cemetery alone made walking around the silent grounds so crazy, but trying to wrap my head around the mountains surrounding the valley was-and still is-impossible.
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GLENDALOUGH MONASTIC SITE OVERVIEW
I cannot begin to try to imagine all that those mountains have seen, it was almost like you can feel the hundreds of thousands of years of history radiating off of them.
They predate me by more time than I can comprehend, and they will be here long after me- I am just lucky enough to apart of one of the many many generations of people that have walked through the valley below them.
All of the history mixed with the gloomy, gray, late autumn Ireland weather and the silence of the empty old roads around me is a feeling that I will not forget. The energy was strong.
Though I was only in Glendalough for around 2 hours before continuing on my way, this area seems to serve as a good base or starting point for people hiking around and exploring the area, which I would love to do someday.
Accessible through an old stone gateway, most likely built in the 10th century, this little settlement is so beautiful and so amazingly preserved. There is no fee or ticket needed to enter and it is open 24 hours.
You can explore the city and cemetery in about an hour or so, but I spent more time walking along the trails and seeing the insides of what is left of the churches.
There is no bad time of the year to visit Glendalough, the high tourism season will bring more crowds more though, especially during the mid-day. I would definitely visit the site as early in the morning as you can. I was there during November, and it was empty. Given it was the off season, most of the little stands around the hotel and visitor center were closed, but outside of the gateway there was some warm drinks and souvenir type items for sale.
STAYING IN GLENDALOUGH
If you’re staying in Glendalough to hike around the mountains, there are two options in the village itself: one hotel and one hostel.
This hotel is right by the entrance to the ruins and the visitor center the location is really the most important factor, there is not much else though as it is quite pricey for how awful the reviews all are. Hopefully in the future it will pick back up and be successful again.
YOU CAN BOOK THE GLENDALOUGH HOTEL HERE.
GLENDALOUGH INTERNATIONAL HOSTEL:
This little hostel has all of your basic needs, in a great location, and is a great price, I would stay here in the future.
HOW TO GET TO GLENDALOUGH FROM DUBLIN
-TOUR: In my opinion, the best option for you would be to take a guided day tour from Dublin. The best ones will also take you to Kilkenny, and through the most beautiful spots in the Wicklow Mountains on the Old Army Road, and you will learn so much more. (more on that below)
-CAR: if you are renting a car, Glendalough is easily accessible just outside of Dublin. If you want to take the prettiest route to the village, you will take the old Military Road (or R115) from the city. There are faster routes, but not as pretty. You can park at Glendalough for $5.
-BUS: Everyday, there is the Saint Kevin’s bus that you can catch in the center of Dublin in the morning, and it will bring you back later in the day. A roundtrip will cost you $20.
THE BEST TOURS TO GLENDALOUGH
This is the most popular tour option, if you read what I wrote about Galway you would already know that I loved this tour company so much. This tour takes you through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough, and then to Kilkenny and back to Dublin with such beautiful sights along the whole way. $48 beyond well spent.
YOU CAN BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE.
SOME OTHER OPTIONS INCLUDE: WICKLOW MOUNTAINS, GLENDALOUGH AND KILKENNY DAY TOUR FROM DUBLIN. BOOK HERE.
GLENDALOUGH & WICKLOW MOUNTAINS HALF DAY MORNING TOUR FROM DUBLIN. BOOK HERE.
You can expect another, updated blog post about Glendalough in the future because I will visit again as soon as I can. I loved this day so much, every time I look at my pictures I am transported right back. Such a beautiful, special place.
THINKING OF TRAVELING TO GLENDALOUGH? DO IT.
HERE IS ALL OF THE RESOURCES I USE TO PLAN MY TRIPS:
FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATION: BOOKING.COM IS WHAT I WILL ALWAYS USE TO BOOK FLIGHTS AND STAYS. NEVER DONE ME WRONG.
TOURS, DRIVERS, AND ALL THAT FUN STUFF: VIATOR IS MY GO-TO.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: SAFETYWING HAS ALWAYS BEEN FABULOUS. THE BEST EVER.
RENTAL CARS: WHEN BOOKING TRIP THAT YOU DECIDE TO RENT A CAR FOR, BOOKING.COM IS FABULOUS LIKE ALWAYS.
