If you are in Dublin for a few days, you do not have a car, but you want to see thefamous green meadows and pristine areas of Ireland, a trip to Glendalough is ideal.

A small valley with two lakes (hence the name) in the sixth century AD was home to St. Kevin, a hermit who lived for long in a cave that can now be reached only by boat. Kevin was also abbot of the monastery that now houses many of the country remains as testimony to a flourishing and active community. Glendalough has remained an important center of Celtic Christianity until it was destroyed, six centuries later, the first Viking invasions and then the British.

Following the path that starts from the visitor center you'll find the ruins of the ancient settlement: the cemetery, the Cathedral, the church of St. Kieran and round tower. The latter is still one of the few intact examples of a typical Irish granite bell tower 30 meters high, which were used to direct travelers, but they were also used as watch towers and as a shelter for the community in case of attack, through the door at 3 mabove the ground.
The trail continues unl wedged between the lake (the smaller of the two) and a lovelyforest. After about twenty minutes to get upper lake (Upper Lake) around which arescattered the ruins of St. Kevin's cell and other buildings. To reach the cave where helived the hermit must go by boat.

Feel free to linger a bit on the shores of the lake, possibly away from the car park andthe beaches are always full of tourists. Surrounded by a silence you can almost tastethe magical Irish nature as how you're always imagined.