Published: July 04, 2009 01:45 pm      

Ireland: Wish you were here!

I wish you were here with me, drinking in fantastic photos of the glacial valley of County Wicklow in southeast Ireland.

Glendalough is an area famous not only for its incredible beauty but also for the medieval monastic settlement founded there in the 6th century by St. Kevin. St. Kevin was a descendant of one of the ruling families of Leinster who became a hermit priest.

In the lower valley, the Gateway into the monastic city of Glendalough is totally unique to Ireland. Inside the two storied gateway, built with two granite arches, is a cross-inscribed stone denoting the sanctuary, or area of refuge.

The monastery at Glendalough included workshops where monks wrote and copied manuscripts. A large lay population lived and worshipped at Glendalough as well.

St. Kevin’s Church, The Cathedral, the Priests’ House, St. Kieran’s Church, St. Mary’s or Our Lady’s Church, Trinity Church and St. Saviour’s Church are all here, allowing us to get a glimpse of monastic and village life during medieval times.

The settlement at Glendalough was destroyed by British forces in 1398, but it continued as a church and place of pilgrimage.

The granite cliffs at Glendalough have attracted pilgrims of another sort over the past 60 odd years. There are over 100 climbing routes along these beautiful cliffs varying between one and four pitches with good protection for the climber.

The “Marble City” of Kilkenny is also located in southeast Ireland. Formerly the capital of the kingdom of Ossory, founded by Aengus Osraige, Kilkenny is currently home to 25,000 and is the county seat of County Kilkenny on the River Nore in the province of Leinster. Don’t those names fall soothingly on the ear?

Only 73 miles from Dublin, Kilknenny Castle is home to the highest air temperature ever recorded in Ireland, 91.9 degrees on June 26, 1887.

Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s most visited towns due to its amazing cultural life. There are art galleries, historic buildings, craft and design shops, theaters, public gardens and the incredible Kilkenny Castle.

St. Canice’s Cathedral and round tower, the Rothe House, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kells Priory, the Black Abbey and the Kilkenny Arts Festival (held every August) are just a few of the many reasons to spend some time in Kilkenny.

You’ll notice during your visit to Kilkenny the black stone with decorative white fossils included in many of the buildings. The Black Quarry, visible from the road, exported its famous Kilkenny Marble to all corners of the British Empire.

The Waterford Crystal plant located in the Waterford area has recently been added to the list of victims of the current economic times. The plant shut down in early 2009 and rumor has it the molds were destroyed. Tours of the factory and Waterford Gift shop are no longer available. So take great pains to protect your Waterford Crystal, as it seems there will be no more.

You want to be sure to drop in on a “session” when you are wandering the streets of these lovely Irish towns. Musicians seem to magically turn up in the local pubs and singing and foot tapping are added at no charge.

The southeast corner of Ireland, like all of Ireland, is amazing in its beauty. A scenic drive or walk along this ancient land is mesmerizing. Any trip to Ireland must include a thorough and lengthy visit to this area.

Joy Gawf-Crutchfield owns The Joy of Travel. Contact her at www.thejoyoftravel.us.