Jim Flavin 01-Oct-2008 16:25
This gateway to the Monastic site is quite important as it is the oldest gateway to such a site in Ireland or UK . Photo taken from inside site . Originally it was a two storey bulding - a gatehouse . Next photo shows part of gatehouse .
Jim Flavin 01-Oct-2008 10:10
The next eight photos concern the Monastic Site at Glendalough , Co, Wicklow . Founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century- he wanted to be alone to commune with God - and chose this Vlley - Glendalough - the Glen of the two lakes . Turned out he was anything but alone - . He became known as a Holy Man - and people came to visit him - soon there were about 200 monks and nuns there with about 2,000 lay people in a surrounding village . At that time priests and nuns could marry- the son of the Abbot of a monastery would become the next abbot - son of a priest - the next priest - son of blacksmith - the next balcksmith etc . . This continued until the 12th century when Normans arrived and conquerd Ireland - they had orders from Pope to stop the religous marrying etc and bring the Irish Christians under the rule of Rome - which they did .June 3rd was St.Kevins day - until it became a party afafir - booze - women- parades etc [ much same as St . Patricks Day is now ]. Anyway the clergy banned St. Kevins Day.
