Teampall na Skellig

Glendalough


The original site of St Kevin's settlement, Teampall na Skellig is at the base of the cliffs towering over the southern side of the Upper Lake and accessible only by boat. There's no boat service to the site so you'll have to settle for looking at it from across the lake. The terraced shelf has the reconstructed ruins of a church and early graveyard. Rough wattle huts once stood on the raised ground nearby.

Scattered around are some early grave slabs and simple stone crosses.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Glendalough attractions

1. St Kevin's Bed

0.02 MILES

Just east of Teampall na Skellig, and 10m above the Upper Lake's waters, is the 2m-deep artificial cave called St Kevin's Bed, said to be where Kevin…

2. St Kevin's Cell

0.25 MILES

Climb the steps at the back of the Reefert Churchyard and follow the path to the west and you'll find, at the top of a rise overlooking the Upper Lake,…

3. Reefert Church

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The considerable remains of Reefert Church sit above the tiny River Poulanass, south of the Upper Lake car park. It's a small, plain, 11th-century…

4. Stone Fort

0.41 MILES

In the green area just south of the Upper Lake car park is a large circular wall thought to be the remains of an early Christian stone fort (caher).

5. St Mary's Church

1.17 MILES

The 10th-century St Mary's Church, to the southwest of the Round Tower, stands outside the walls of the Glendalough monastic site and belonged to local…

6. Deer Stone

1.21 MILES

At the junction with Green Rd as you cross the river just south of the Glendalough monastic site is the Deer Stone, set in the middle of a group of rocks…

7. St Kevin's Kitchen

1.23 MILES

Glendalough's trademark is St Kevin's Kitchen or Church, at the southern edge of the monastic site. This compact structure, with a miniature round-tower…

8. Priest's House

1.23 MILES

At the centre of the graveyard at the Glendalough monastic site, to the southwest of the Cathedral of St Peter & St Paul, is the Priest's House. This odd…