Toward the end of the 6th century CE, a small group of Irish monks led by St.  Kevin, who had previously lived there as a hermit, founded the Christian monastery at Glendalough, in what is now County Wicklow, on Ireland´s central east coast, about an hour south of Dublin. The settlement grew and thrived, despite Viking raids, for the next six centuries, becoming eventually absorbed into the Dublin diocese. Apart from St Kevin, the most influential Abbot of Glendalough was St. Lorcan (Laurence) O’ Toole (1118 - 1180), who became Archbishop of Dublin. 

The visitor centre next to the monastery offers displays and video shows that describe the history of Glendalough, construction of the Round Tower (see below), techniques used in ink-making for writing the illuminated Celtic manuscripts, trade, transport, farming and the lives of the Glendalough saints.

Read more in Tripatini contributor Anthony Toole´s post Glendalough, Ireland´s Valley of the Two Lakes.