2000 years before Christ, Bronze Age inhabitants of Glendalough carved a small cave into the cliff-face on the north shore of the upper lake. Historians believe that these people who held the elements of nature as sacred, cut through the rock with their bronze tools to construct a tomb for their kings.

Two thousand six hundred years later, in the sixth century AD, Saint Kevin is said to have used the small cave as a hermitage, where he spent time in meditative seclusion. It was from there that he set about his task of constructing the Monastic City of Glendalough from where holy men spread the Christian teachings to the known world.

During those ‘Dark Ages’, there were few places of learning and enlightenment surviving in the world. Consequently the importance of Glendalough on the development of our world today is indeed profound.

However, it is not for that reason, visitors have travelled to our beautiful valley for hundreds of years. Its spirituality fused with the great beauty of this glacial landscape ensures a unique experience. Particularly for those who enjoy the natural and unspoilt qualities of this very special valley, set in the centre of Irelands premier National Park.

‘Derrymore’, our home, occupies a six-acre site overlooking the lower lake (known in ancient times as ‘The Lake of the Monster’) in the centre of the valley.

Glendalough is approximately one hour’s drive from Dublin by car, and one thousand years, by imagination.

The surrounding countryside is much favoured by ramblers and hill walkers, who share the mountains and valleys of the area with wild deer, goats, foxes, badgers, rabbits and red squirrels.

Lichen growing on ancient oak trees, bears testimony to the purity of the skies, patrolled by Peregrine Falcon that nest high above the lower lake. And squadron of Raven screech, as they chase lambs across the valley floor.