churches historical glendalough

Our Lady's Church: Regarded by some as being the earliest church erected in the lower valley, Our Lady's Church stands somewhat isolated from the main group of ruins. For this reason it is thought, as was common in most Irish monastic cities, to have been specially for the use of women or nuns. St. Kevin himself is buried within the walls of this church and he was venerated here on his feast day (June 3rd) until the eighteenth century when religious persecution under the Penal Code forced the...

Built on a miniature scale, these ruins remained undiscovered until 1876. St. Kevin was a close friend of St. Kieran. When hearing of Kieran's impending death he hastened to Clonmacnoise to be with his friend to the end, but he arrived too late and found Kieran laid out for burial. However, by heavenly dispensation Kieran's beatified spirt returned to his body so that he could bid farewell to his dearest friend. Kieran died in 547 AD at the age of 33, just seven months after founding his fam...

This, the most westerly of the ancient churches, is situated on a small ledge 8 metres above the Upper Lake. Though modified over the centuries, the style of the surrounding original eastern twin-window suggests great antiquity and it is possible the Church was associated with St. Kevin himself in the seventh century. Excavations coducted here at the beginning of the century led to the discovery of much ash, charcoal and debris, lending further credence to the belief that this was originally a...

Meaning "the burial place of kings" from the Irish "Riogfheart", for centuries this church was the burial place of the Chiefs of the O'Toole Clan. While some still hold to the original view that it may date to the sixth century, more recent expert opinion suggest it to be of eleventh century origin. Standing at the eastern end can be found two ancient crosses standing on square bases....

St. Kevin's Bed: A man-made cave dug into a cliff-face and overlooking the Upper lake from a height of 10 metres, it is probable that this cave predates Kevin's arrival. It is likely that the saint used it as his sleeping quarters, it being too small and cramped to be of further practical use. Centuries later it was used by St. Laurence O'Toole as the site of his annual Lenten penance and following the failure of the 1798 rising it was used as a place of refuge by Michael O'Dwyer, the famous...

Popularly known as "St. Kevin's Kitchen" and consisting of a church, cell and watch-tower, this is the most interesting and best-preserved of the church-remains at Glendalough. Boasting a remarkable corbelled stone roof, it has been traditionally associated with having been built by Kevin himself, as an oratory and dormitory, in the sixth century. Analysis of the style of architecture, however, tends to suggest that considerable alterations may have been undertaken during the eight and...

Along with Our Lady's Church, this is the oldest church in the lower valley. Dating to Kevin's lifetime, it is said to have been founded for St. Mocherog, a grandson of Brachan, King of Britain. Mocherog was a close friend of Kevin and was privileged to administer the Last Rites to the founder of Glendalough during Kevin's last moments on earth. Trinity Church was notable for having a 20 metre Round Tower incorporated into its design but, unfortunately, it was destroyed during a fierce storm...

Standing in a secluded grove of fir trees by the Glendassan river, 1 km east of the "city" by way of the Green road, the Priory of St. Saviour is said to have been founded in 1162 by St. Laurence O'Toole. The association of the Priory with the saint is borne out by the fact that its location is called Glenlorcan. The Priory has been beautifully restored by the Office of Public Works and is now a much-admired example of Irish-Romanesque architecture....