Glendalough Monastic City
Founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, Glendalough is one of the most important early medieval monastic sites in Ireland. The Round Tower, Cathedral, St Kevin's Church and the carved high crosses draw over a million visitors a year — and they remain free to wander.
History
Kevin of Glendalough arrived in the valley around 570 AD, seeking solitude as a hermit. Within a generation, a monastic settlement had grown around his cell — by the 8th century it was one of the most influential religious centres in Ireland, attracting scholars and pilgrims from across Europe. The site was sacked repeatedly by Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries, and suffered severe damage under English forces in 1398. What remains today is a combination of original 10th-12th century stonework and 19th-century conservation.
What to see
The 30-metre Round Tower (c. 1100) with its conical cap is the site's most photographed feature. The Cathedral, built over three phases between the 10th and 13th centuries, is the largest church. St Kevin's Church — nicknamed 'St Kevin's Kitchen' for its chimney-like round tower — is a complete barrel-vaulted chapel from the 11th century. The Priest's House, the Deer Stone, and the three high crosses are all within a short walk of each other.
Admission & hours
The monastic site itself is free and open 24/7. The Visitor Centre (operated by the Office of Public Works) charges a modest entry fee and opens 9:30am–6pm in summer, 9:30am–5pm in winter. The centre houses interpretive displays, a film, and guided-tour information. Car parking at the Upper and Lower Lakes costs €4 (2026).
Official website: heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/glendalough-visitor-centre