Glendalough Valley

County Wicklow, Ireland

By University of Notre Dame

June 19^th, 2023

Glen of Two Lakes

In the heart of Ireland’s Wicklow mountains, the Avonmore River rises and flows into the Glendasan River, connecting two lakes along its route. It’s there you’ll find Glendalough Valley, home of Glendalough’s Monastic City, chosen for its remoteness and beauty by sixth-century monk and hermit St. Kevin. Students studying at Notre Dame’s Dublin Global Gateway spent a day hiking part of the 13.7-mile (~10 km) loop learning more about the rich history embedded in its countryside.

The Wicklow Way

Winding through the Wicklow Mountains is Wicklow Way, Ireland’s first marked long-distance trail. Beginning in South Dublin, the 81-mile (131 km) trail’s hills are peppered with lush forests, stunning waterfalls, and sacred monuments. With breathtaking views at every turn, it’s no surprise that St. Kevin chose Glendalough as the site for his monastery. Glendalough is considered by many to be a holy place, and residents of the ancient city have been called “citizens of heaven.” Like these students, people come from all over the world to see remnants of the monastic city and traverse the land where St. Kevin once walked.

Kevin Whelan, director of the Dublin Global Gateway (far right), poses with students overlooking Glendalough National Park’s lower lake.

Through their soles

Kevin Whelan, the Michael Smurfit Director of the Notre Dame Dublin Global Gateway, often uses excursions, such as hiking through Glendalough National Park, as a teaching opportunity for students. “We’re going to immerse you in our society, and whatever is going on in Dublin or Ireland, whatever Irish people are excited about or talking about, that’s where you’re going to be,” Whelan said in a recent interview about Notre Dame in Ireland. To date, he has taught more than 3,000 undergraduates and, so far, it’s proven to be an effective way of teaching students about Ireland that goes beyond the classroom experience.