A magical and special place, where you can go hiking and imagine seeing fairies and elves at any moment. Glendalough is the classic Irish place that stays in your soul.
What if I told you that there is also Irish sickness? Well yes, I didn't believe it until I tried it on my skin. Ireland is a magical land, full of legends and traditions, which enters your soul so deeply that when you leave it to go home you miss it like air. I think the moment I first realized this was just a Glendalough.
Glendalough: what to expect
Immersed in the heart of theWicklow Mountains about fifty kilometers from Dublin, is the monastic site of S. Kevin. I admit that what brought me to visit this place for the first time was the curiosity to know the story of a hermit with the same name as my son. The monk who later became San Kevin decided to retire in valle of Glendalough in search of a quiet and peaceful place for his life as a hermit and still the landscape reflects its essence.
The origin of the name
The name Glendalough derives from the Gaelic Gleann Dá Locha, meaning the valley of the two lakes. The monastery was, in fact, between two lakes Lower Lake and Upper Lake. Both lakes are bordered by footpaths, la Wicklow Way, a long itinerary where trekking is king. You don't need to be super athletes to savor the magic of these places, just walk a few meters to find yourself looking with a curious eye for proof of the existence of fairies or elves.
How to reach Glendalough
To get to Glendalough from Dublin you can use the organized excursions. These day trips have a fairly low cost and include, in addition to transport to Glendalough, also visits to neighboring areas such as the Kilkenny Castle.
The alternative, if you love DIY, is the bus service that leaves from St. Stephen's Green Park in Dublin. (Glendaloughbus.com). The return ticket is quite cheap and has a reduced price for children.
The path to Glendalough alone is worth all the cost of the ticket, keep your gaze fixed out the window and you will have a view of an ever-changing breathtaking landscape, truly an unmissable experience.
