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Glendalough Monastic Site, Co. Wicklow
Saint Kevin's monastic site
Glendaloug is a glacial valley located in County Wicklow, Ireland. Within it lies a ruined village containing a former monastery, which was founded in the 6th century by Saint Kevin, a hermit priest, and destroyed in 1398 by English troops. The location was sought out as a peaceful retreat by Saint Kevin because of its remoteness and serenity, but several men who wished to follow his teachings built a temporary place of churches and living quarters in the valley below the site of his house. This soon grew and became an important school. The remains of the monastery are located beside the Lower Lake and the Upper Lake. The monastery with its round tower is today one of the most popular tourist attractions in the county.

The monastic site includes a 33 metres tall round tower and Saint Kevin's Cross, a Celtic High Cross. It has been thought the round tower was built during the era of the Viking invasions of Ireland (up to and around 1066), in order to protect the religious books and chalices used in the monastery at the time.