" P@tH Im@ges "
" St. Kevins Way "
St. Kevin was born somewhere in the midlands of Ireland in 498 ad. He became a monk and decided to follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick. However, he became disenchanted and decided to take up a hermit`s life and spend his day in prayer and quite contemplation. He set out on a journey to look for a suitable place. He entered the Wicklow mountains near Blessington and travelled west for 30miles along this path through the valley till he came to Glendalough { The Glen of the two lakes } and there in a cave, overlooking the upper lake, he made his home.
The cave, called St Kevins Bed, is still there and still accesable.
Kevins fame spread, and people came to see him from far and wide. When he died in 617 ad, Glendalough quickly turned into a place of pilgrimage and a monastic city complete with 7 churches, a cathedral and a round tower was built. Pilgrims would travel along St Kevins Way and pray and do penance on the journey. The paving slabs on the path exist from that period.
It became a centre of learning until it was destroyed by a number of Viking raids in 835 ad. They were based in Dublin, which was a Viking city.
It wasn't until 1014, at the battle of Clontarf, that Brian Boru, drove them out of Ireland.
The ruins of the churches are still standing including the round tower and they are preserved and looked after through the wonderful work of the Office of Public works and the Wicklow National Parks and many volunteer organisations.
And there is no charge for visiting this wonderful unspoiled place!
Its amazingly beautiful and peaceful place. A major tourist attraction. I am not of a religious disposition, but it is the most moving, spiritual place I have ever visited.
I am so lucky to have it on my doorstep.
Many thanks to my great Flickr friends.
Pat.
" St. Kevins Way "
St. Kevin was born somewhere in the midlands of Ireland in 498 ad. He became a monk and decided to follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick. However, he became disenchanted and decided to take up a hermit`s life and spend his day in prayer and quite contemplation. He set out on a journey to look for a suitable place. He entered the Wicklow mountains near Blessington and travelled west for 30miles along this path through the valley till he came to Glendalough { The Glen of the two lakes } and there in a cave, overlooking the upper lake, he made his home.
The cave, called St Kevins Bed, is still there and still accesable.
Kevins fame spread, and people came to see him from far and wide. When he died in 617 ad, Glendalough quickly turned into a place of pilgrimage and a monastic city complete with 7 churches, a cathedral and a round tower was built. Pilgrims would travel along St Kevins Way and pray and do penance on the journey. The paving slabs on the path exist from that period.
It became a centre of learning until it was destroyed by a number of Viking raids in 835 ad. They were based in Dublin, which was a Viking city.
It wasn't until 1014, at the battle of Clontarf, that Brian Boru, drove them out of Ireland.
The ruins of the churches are still standing including the round tower and they are preserved and looked after through the wonderful work of the Office of Public works and the Wicklow National Parks and many volunteer organisations.
And there is no charge for visiting this wonderful unspoiled place!
Its amazingly beautiful and peaceful place. A major tourist attraction. I am not of a religious disposition, but it is the most moving, spiritual place I have ever visited.
I am so lucky to have it on my doorstep.
Many thanks to my great Flickr friends.
Pat.