Davises On the Road

Our odessy half way around the world. View pictures of this trip and more at http://community.webshots.com/user/davishongkong

Saturday, October 07, 2006

The Monastery and the Mountain October 4, 2006

After a breakfast of cereal, fruit and toast we got on the road and drove to Glendolough. This is in the Wicklow Mountains and is one of the garden spots of Ireland. The drive down took us through a landscape of heather covered hills and peat farms before dropping us into Glendolough (The Valley of Two Lakes) and the village of Laragh. The one and a half hour drive also proved to us that what we had read about Ireland’s roads is true; they are rough and poorly signed. The first half an hour after we exited the M50 we wandered around trying to find our road. Navigation is more difficult here and will be a challenge. We decided that we will stay on the major roads whenever possible.

Glendolough is a beautiful valley in which stand the remains of a monastery founded in the 6th century AD by Kevin or Coemhghein. The monastery flourished through the 14th century but with the destruction of the village by the English in 1398 it was left in ruins but continued to function until 1539. Assemblies were held here into the 19th century. Writings from that period tell of “riotous assemblies” on the feast of Saint Kevin held every June 3rd.

The ruins that have survived until today are from buildings built between the 10th and 12th centuries. The most outstanding is a cylindrical tower 30 meters (100’) tall. There is also a churchyard cemetery that is still used today.

After touring the ruins and a lunch in the pub at the old family run Glendolough Hotel we hiked one of the numerous trails in the valley. The five mile hike took us high up the side of the mountain overlooking Laragh and the monastic ruins. The views of the peaceful valley below were our reward for the effort of the climb. Our blue sky day turned to a light sprinkling rain just as we ended the hike back at the visitor’s center. Another thanks to the weather gods.

We are staying in Laragh at the Tudor Lodge B&B in a comfortable room with modern facilities ready for more Irish adventures tomorrow.

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