The main monastic settlement lies to the east of the Lower Lake. A short drive past this brings one to a car park beside the larger Upper Lake. A broad track leads along the northern shore, from which can be seen, across the water, the ruins of Temple-na-Skellig, a tiny church perched on a rare piece of level ground beneath the precipitous slopes that rise from the southern shore. This can be reached on foot, but not easily, and is best approached by boat.

On the adjacent crag is the small cave known as St. Kevin’s Bed (pictured here), which can only be entered by means of an exposed rocky scramble, eight metres above the lake. It is believed to have been used as a place of retreat by St. Kevin and St. Lorcan O’ Toole.

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