Days 4–5: Glendalough
Paula has been talking about Glendalough since she was there in 2015 as part of a spirituality immersion with the Sisters of Charity; so it was one of the first places on our agenda in planning the trip. I was somehow doubtful that it would live up to expectations, but as you drive into the Wicklow Hills, it’s a green dream.
Sunday was walking day. Glendalough is on the Wicklow Way, so there were lots of through walkers in our B and B in Laragh (about a kilometre down the road). The National Park area is only an hour from Dublin, and the spring weather Brough half the population plus a select representation from the EU to walk the trails. By the time we finished our four-hour perambulation, there were fifty cars queuing for the car park, and the trail itself was more crowded than any you might see in Canberra; but the views were worth it!
The standing joke of our marriage is that Paula loves to walk, can go for miles, but hates climbing. She really wanted to do the Spink loop, which takes in both lakes and the old mines, but I didn’t let on about the contours on the map, and even I didn’t appreciate the scale on AllTrails! It made for bloody incredible views, but some very steep sections on uneven stones. Just check the elevation gain.
From the top, you can see down to the visitors centre, and every registered motor vehicle in Ireland crowding the car park and the genuine Irish Mexican food van serving the queues.
It was one of the best walks since Scotland, and at the end we were able to walk in the ruins of the monastery and enjoy the solitude, like this lucky fella.
The pub was completely going off when we went down for an early dinner, but once the elated Arsenal supporters were gone, we rehydrated and replenished and planned for our visit to Kilkenny in the morning.
