3rd day: Glendalough

 

We woke up early to go rent a car

and leave Dublin.

We took the military road in the Wiclow mountains.

It was our first Irish windy landscape:

first in the mist that gradually clears. 

There were gently rounded hills, 

reflections of the moors and flowering heather, 

dark, peaty color of the streams that run

through the valley at the bottom of which

we could see cottages.

The sheep are already on the road, we already pass a tractor.

Our first panorama with a lake surrounded by little mountains

We passed by Sally Gap,

and we could see how the moors 

are colouring rivers

which look like Guiness beer.

And the second lake: lough Tay.

We went by the valley less wild

but still beautiful with all the greens and rounded hills.

And we arrived in Glendalough for the day !

The site lies in a stunning glacial valley 

surrounded by mountains, lakes, and lush woodland.

Walking in order to reach the old monastery site

along the down lake,

we met our first waterfall !

and some little rivers, and stones mossy rocks

tree twisted by the wind... 

and still some gentle  green hills all around.

This monastery was founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin, 

a hermit priest known for his devotion and solitude.

His story is really nice.

When we arrived we had the chance

to listen to a choral who was singing inside this little chapel.

It was just magical in this site !!

Several well-preserved stone churches 

and crosses can still be seen, including St. Kevin’s Church.

Glendalough served as a center of learning

 and pilgrimage for centuries, attracting scholars and monks.

The monastery was attacked multiple times 

by Vikings and later damaged during the Norman invasions.

As in most monasteric sites,

there is the tall round tower, 

standing about 30 meters high, 

once used for refuge and storage.

The door was at 3 m high.

Then, we found a nice place for lunch

Amané made 2 friends.

Then we go for reaching the Poulanass waterfalls

and then to reach the panorama to see all the valley

with the 2 lakes.

We first entered a woody place quite magical

with all the rivers coming

and the moss every where...

We met a robin there !!

The monastery site is at the down lake point.

And here is the upper lake.

We really can see the valley

came from a glacier.

After this little walk a little pause:

I really love those vans with coffee or ice creams

everywhere; we need some in France.

Amané and Yuta even found their favourite biscuits 

in the village near our bed and breakfast.

We had diner in a pub just near,

and slept so well in the Tom bed and breakfast house,

in the deep countryside of the Wiclow valley.