Glendalough

Glendalough, meaning "valley of two lakes," is a well-known medieval monastic site in County Wicklow, Ireland. It lies in the Glendalough Valley within Wicklow Mountains National Park, near the village of Laragh. The two glacial lakes, Upper Lake and Lower Lake, give the place its name and form a scenic setting for the archaeological remains.

The site was founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, who established a monastery that grew into a major center of early Irish Christianity and learning. Over the centuries it developed into a monastic city with a collection of churches, a cathedral, a round tower, graves, and carved crosses. Glendalough endured Viking raids in the 9th and 10th centuries and was rebuilt in stone during the 11th and 12th centuries before entering a long period of decline. It was dissolved in the 16th century during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, after which it gradually fell into ruin but remained an important archaeological and historical site.

Today, the remains include the Round Tower, St Kevin’s Church, and the Cathedral, among others, and are widely regarded as among Ireland’s best-preserved examples of an early Christian monastic landscape. Glendalough is designated a National Monument and is part of Wicklow Mountains National Park, drawing visitors for both its historical significance and its natural scenery. The surrounding area offers walking trails that circle the two lakes and traverse the hillside, highlighting the site’s ongoing appeal for recreation and study.