Review: Glendalough Monastic Site

Give us some background on this place: What, and where, is it?
Glendalough Monastic Site is one of the most important ancient monastic sites in Ireland—and now, it's also one of the country's top tourist spots. Set in the Glendalough Valley in Country Wicklow, adjacent to the sprawling Wicklow Mountains National Park, this Monastic City’s roots go back to the 6th-century St. Kevin, who laid its foundations; it survived attacks by the Vikings and other tumult to become one of the region’s top centers of learning and ecclesiastics, before ultimately being destroyed by the Normans in the 13th century.

Wow, sounds cool. What's the best way for visitors to enjoy it these days?Today, guests start their experience at the Visitor Center, where exhibits and audio-visual presentations take you back to the time of legendary scholars and saints; guided tours are also available, though they should be booked in advance. Once outside, paths lead you to the several well-preserved remains, which date primarily from the 10th-12th centuries. Highlights include the pitched-roof church known as St. Kevin’s Kitchen; the Romanesque-style Priest’s House (don’t miss the even-older carving above the door); the massive granite cross thought to be from the 6th or 7th century; and the Cathedral, the largest church on the site. The top stop, though, is the 98.4-foot Round Tower, which stands tall along the river. You can also wander around the remains of an old stone fort, through an ancient graveyard, and throughout the picturesque grounds. (Note that many of the paths and sites are not particularly wheelchair-friendly.)

Wow. What’s it like being there?
It's a window into history, and to Ireland's religious culture—and it feels as much. Prepare to be moved.

Is there a guide involved?
Well-versed guides are available to take you through the Visitor Center exhibits, and can arm you with plenty of information for a self-guided stroll around the site.

Got it. Who else are we likely to see here?
The ruins are a popular stop for anyone traveling through County Wicklow, as the site can easily be paired with visits to the national park and the charming villages in the valley. It attracts fans of history, and especially those interested in early-Christianity, as well as families, nature buffs, and tourists on a day out.

Anything else we should know?The Center is wheelchair accessible, fortunately—and while entry to historic sites is technically free, the Visitor Center does charge a nominal fee. The site is impressive—particularly the Round Tower—and worth a stop for some insight into this important era in Irish history, and while it doesn't warrant a trip from Dublin on its own, it's a perfect option to pair with a longer exploration of the national park and stops for bites in the quaint valley villages.

Got it. So, then, what, or who, do you think it’s best for?
Scholars of religious, medieval, or Irish history will likely do a deeper dive of the Center's exhibits and the site itself, but the majority of visitors are laypeople stopping in while in the National Park or passing through Wicklow—and they get plenty of the experience, too.