Monastery Gatehouse

Glendalough


The stone arch of the monastery gatehouse at the Glendalough monastic site is the only surviving example of a monastic entranceway in the country. Just inside the entrance is a large slab with an incised cross.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Glendalough attractions

1. Cathedral of St Peter & St Paul

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The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, just southeast of the Round Tower at the Glendalough monastic site, has a 10th-century nave; the chancel and…

2. Glendalough Monastic Site

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Nestled between two lakes, haunting Glendalough (Gleann dá Loch, meaning 'Valley of the Two Lakes') is one of the most significant monastic sites in…

3. Round Tower

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The 10th-century Round Tower at the Glendalough monastic site is 33m tall and 16m in circumference at the base. The upper storeys and conical roof were…

4. Priest's House

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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…

5. St Kevin's Kitchen

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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…

6. St Kieran's Church

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There are but scant remains of St Kieran's Church, the smallest at the Glendalough monastic site. It's to the east of St Mary's Church.

7. Glendalough Visitor Centre

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The visitor centre beside the Glendalough monastic site has a high-quality 20-minute audiovisual presentation called Ireland of the Monasteries.

8. St Mary's Church

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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…