Step back in time
Trip Start
Sep 13, 2005
1
12
Trip End
Ongoing
Glendalough, Ireland
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Back to the travel-type bidness....Little bit of history of the place: in 498 a priest named Kevin came here basically to escape society. He set up a dwelling and for years lived off of the land. Despite his attempt to get away from people, word got out of his hermity (and holy) ways and he began to attract a group of devoted disciples. The settlement grew into a thriving monastic city full of schools and churches and the likes, making it a key target for Viking raiders from the 8th-11th centuries. Later, in the 14th century, the site also came under attack from British forces. The large cone-shaped towers were a defense from these incessant raiders...the monks would climb in, and pull the ladder up as a last defense.
The ruins were beautiful, and while most of them are now roof-less, you can still see the ancient engravings...celtic crosses, and inscriptions of lions and birds. Some very intricate work (Tony managed to take some close photos of these so I'll add them soon!)
So, that was the first real side trip and only place I had my camera! We also made it to a country fair in Ballytobin. This was a serious blast from the past!! Farmers/flea markets, and lots of random games like pillow fight and bucket lifting contests! Then we went to this granite quarry in the country nearby...so sad I missed the photo-ops here. Definitely postcard worthy landscapes, lush green country with odd rock formations and a huge pond... we adventured down along the river and found this really jurassic-like area with vines and stalagmites, and trees all growing out of the rock. I'll have to go back and snap it next time!
I plan to get out and take some shots of Kilkenny City real soon. So far, it's a cute, small but bustling Irish town...lots of shops, pubs and young artists. Haven't been dipping into the Guinness yet...but I'm quite enjoying the Bulmers cider ;) More to come!
