Glendalough and Spink Mountain.

With a major climb of Carauntouhill and The Coomloughra HorseShoe cancelled over the weekend due to a poor weather forecast, it was to the East coast where we headed to avoid the wind and snow that was hitting the West of Ireland. Arriving at the visitor center carpark at Glendalough it soon became apparent that we had made the right decision. The sun was out, a light breeze and off we went heading along the valley floor, turning left up by the Poulanass Waterfall, turning right at the bridge over the Poulanass River and soon entering the mature forestry on your right. This is where the real hard climb begins, along a Railway Sleeper BoardWalk you gain height quickly to emerge above The Upper and Lower Glendalough Lakes. The views from this point and indeed for the rest of the hike are simply stunning and you should take time to take in the views across to Camaderry, Tonlagee and Brockagh and on towards the Miners Village. Keep an eye out for the herds of Deer that roam these slopes and can often be found very close to the BoardWalk path. From here it's onto Spinc Mountain before heading down to the wooden bridge that crosses the river and descend down to The Miners Village where evidence can be seen of the mining done here. Mining in Glendalough dates back to the 1790’s where lead, zinc and silver were mined both in the Glendalough Valley and the next adjacent Valley, Glendasan. Mining in this area took place for over 150 years and at the peak of production 2,000 miners were employed. Mining continued up until 1957. From here it's an easy walk back along the valley floor keeping an eye out for Saint Kevins Bed across the Upper Lake on the opposite bank. It's here that St Kevin stayed as a hermit for seven years. Kevin soon became known as a holy man and others came to Glendalough to seek his advice, to be healed and to follow his way of life. Gradually, small monastic communities were established, including a walled settlement near the lakeshore now called Reefert Church.
Kevin’s fame as a teacher and holy man spread far and wide. Over time, the monastic settlement at Glendalough grew to become one of the great spiritual centres of Christianity in Ireland, flourishing for a thousand years after St. Kevin’s death. Very soon you will find yourself back from where you started passing through the Monastery founded by St Kevin. If you have some more time to spare you could do worse than sit awhile and enjoy the solitude this magical part of Ireland has to offer.  Cathal @ClimbIreland