Glendalough

Glendalough, a monastic settlement of seven churches, was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. After St. Patrick, St. Kevin is Ireland’s most popular saint. He certainly picked a stunning site in this wooded valley between two lakes to found his monastic order. Amidst the tilting stones of the graveyard, the round tower—still perfect after more than a thousand years—punctuates the skyline. The Interpretive Centre presents a 15-minute movie and display on the history of the area. (Open all year, tel: 0404 45325.) Take time to follow the track beyond Glendalough to the Upper Lake (you can also drive there). Tradition has it that St. Kevin lived a solitary life in a hut near here. Farther up on a cliff face is a cave known as St. Kevin’s Bed. Here, so the story goes, Kathleen—a beautiful temptress—tried to seduce the saint who, to cool her advances, threw her into the lake.