Pilgrimage at Glendalough
Co.Wicklow
Friday 3 September 2004
led by John Weldon
Glendalough is a truly beautiful and spiritual place, steeped
history.
The English name Glendalough comes from the Irish Gleann Dá Locha which translates to "The valley of the two lakes".
It was here that St Kevin founded a monastery in the sixth century.
From this beginning the site grew to become famous as a centre of learning
throughout Europe. Indeed, Ireland was known as the "Island of Saints and
Scholars". Standing amid the remains of this monastic settlement, one can
feel a powerful sense of peace and tranquility.
The settlement continued to expand for 600 years and was destroyed in 1398.
The buildings which survive date from the 8th and 12th centuries. The most
famous is, of course, the round tower which is 34m high and 16m in
circumference at the base. A cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses
also survived.
John Weldon led the Pilgrimage
Photographs by Rev Naatan Haamer, Estonia