Glendalough Monastic Site & Round Tower
About
The monastic city at Glendalough was founded by St Kevin in the 6th century and survived as a working monastery and centre of learning for around six hundred years, until it was destroyed by English forces in 1398. What remains today is one of Ireland's most complete early-medieval monastic sites: a round tower roughly thirty metres tall with a doorway set 3.5 metres above the ground, a roofed cathedral, several smaller stone churches including St Kevin's Kitchen, decorated high crosses, and a graveyard still occasionally used today. The OPW-run visitor centre beside the site gives the historical context, from St Kevin's story to how a monastic city actually functioned, before you walk out among the ruins themselves. It is one of Ireland's most-visited heritage attractions, so the car park and the ruins are genuinely busy from mid-morning through the afternoon on any good-weather day, especially in summer.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓A round tower close to thirty metres tall, one of the best-preserved in Ireland
- ✓A roofed cathedral and several smaller stone churches including St Kevin's Kitchen
- ✓Decorated high crosses and a graveyard still in occasional use
- ✓An OPW visitor centre exhibition on St Kevin and the monastic city
Tips
- →Arrive at opening (9:30am) or in the last two hours before closing to avoid the coach crowds.
- →Admission funds go through the visitor centre; the ruins themselves are outdoors and free to walk among once inside the site.
- →Combine with the Green Road walk around the Lower Lake to make the most of the visit.
