Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains, Ireland

After leaving Burtown House we took a bus to Glendalough, in the Wicklow Mountains. The weather was crisp, and the scenery was stunning.

Taking in the view from a rock overhang.

St. Kevin's Cave. Many things in this area were named for St. Kevin, founder of the monastic city.

A magical mushroom in a magical place.

On our second day in Glendalough, after a good night's sleep and a nice breakfast, we headed out for a day-long exploration of the park. Right off the bat we were mesmerized by the beautiful fall colors, and the abundance of mosses and ferns.

Donica: Wow!
Mike: Yeah.
Donica: Wow. Seriously.
Mike: It's so...yeah.



 The Orange Loop boasted many scenic overlooks of the valley. The overlook pictured below was by far the best. We hovered until some other tourists gave up the spot, and then we stopped there for a photo op and a picnic lunch.

Mike does a test shot

In addition to the natural beauty (or perhaps because of it), there is also the ruins of an old monastic city.  A fella named Kevin settled there in the 600s to find the answers to life (see pictures of remote cave above).  It's quite neat to see the ancient round tower and churches along side tombstones that were erected in the last five years, if you like that sort of thing (which we do). 

A newly erected cross (1974) in the old celtic high cross style.

Note to my executor: This is how I want to be interred. No grass or pretty flowers, put me in the middle of a foot path.

The sun was setting and our toes were extremely cold, but with the mists rolling in, an orange and pink hued sky, and a moon rising in the east the monastic city became even more appealing to our inner photographer.  Knowing that the hotel bar (and warmth) was only a short walk away we stuck around and took many a picture.