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Glendalough
Glendalough has been one of the most visited places in Ireland for about 1400 years – since Kevin, hermit, ascetic and saint, drew people to it in the 6th century.
All through the middle ages people came to the famous monastery; some stayed and joined the monks and nuns, some men and women came to study at the famous monastic school, most came as pilgrims to seek and share in the blessings of a sacred place. People still come in greater numbers than ever. Today most people come as tourists. But one who comes as a tourist may easily become a pilgrim. How?
The tourist has a comparatively superficial experience of Glendalough: visits the visitor centre, wonders around the ruins of the Monastic ‘City’, perhaps walks a little way down into the valley, admiring its beauty and buys postcards to tell their friends they were here.
The tourist who goes a bit deeper becomes a pilgrim, has a far richer experience and takes away so much more. The pilgrim reflects, takes some short periods of quiet, lets their life and their life story link in some way with the sacred places and the story of Glendalough.
Pilgrims let the place speak to them and they listen.
The tradition of Glendalough is Christian. It speaks to people of any religious faith or of none.
There are many places in the valley which invite one to pause, reflect: here we mention just a few notable ones
You choose.
The Entrance Gateway
All pilgrims entered by this gateway, conscious that they were entering a sanctuary – a holy place, also a place of refuge, of safety, of peace.
Are you hassled? Worried? Anxious or fearful?
The blessing of Glendalough is peace. What form will it take for you? Healing? Relief? Light? Peace is offered. Can you accept it? Be quiet within for a moment. Relax and let peace flow into your spirit.
Circle me, O God,
Keep love within
Keep hatred out
Circle me, O God,
Keep peace within
Keep turmoil out
Circle me, O God,
Keep joy within
Keep fear out
Circle me, O God,
Keep light in
Keep darkness out
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The Monastic Site
The monks lived a simple life of prayer and work with an abiding sense of the presence of God within and around them ‘in God we live and move and have our being’.
in Irish: the ‘bell-house’
The Round Tower
Its main purpose was to send out, many times a day, the call to prayer. Could you create in your own daily life signals, which would call you to a prayerful moment? Whatever your faith, the Angelus bell or a church bell, amongst other things. could do this …
The Cathedral – the principal place where the monastic community gathered together for formal prayer and worship. Think of the groups or communities to which you belong, with whom you live, work. play or pray and which nurture, support and challenge you. Through them and with them you grow. Thank God for them and send out prayerful love to them.
At the Green Road on the path from the Monastic Site
The 'Deer Stone'
Its main purpose was to send out, many times a day, the call to prayer. Could you create in your own daily life signals, which would call you to a prayerful moment? Whatever your faith, the Angelus bell or a church bell, amongst other things. could do this …
A legend tells of an infant in danger who was brought to the monastery for ‘sanctuary’. Kevin needed milk for the baby. A deer came down daily from the woods and let Kevin milk her into the hollows of the stone.
This is one of the beautiful legends linking Kevin with the animals and the natural world. It can remind us of the nourishment that comes to us from nature. Take a moment to be grateful for this time today close to nature in splendid Glendalough; resolve to make sure you have regular contact with the natural world and cultivate awareness and appreciation of it.
The Lower Lake
Again a legend of Kevin suggests a though. A ‘monster’ in this lake was causing trouble so Kevi.n asked to help. He did attack or kill the monster but befriended it and induced it to come to the Upper Lake where he could keep and eye on it and control it. What ‘monster’ in you needs befriending and control rather than total rejection? The legend ends: ‘Henceforth the waters of the Lower Lake were wholesome and healing’. What in you needs healing today? An area of sinfulness? An old hurt? A rooted resentment? Anger? A broken relationship? Reflect a moment on ONE such thing and going to the edge of the Lake ‘wash it away’ with some healing ritual with the water: wash your hands; or let water trickle through your fingers; splash your face; sprinkle yourself; sign or bless yourself (and each other if you are with others). Let the hurt or wound go. Let peace sink in. Be glad and give thanks.
‘I will sprinkle
clean water on you
I will cleanse you
A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit
I will put within you.
(Ezekiel: 36)
Along the Green Road
Just become aware of your surroundings. Look at the great variety of greenery: see signs of growth and decay.
Listen to the gentle sounds of wind and water.to silence and birdsong; to human sounds. Become aware of LIFE all around you.
The Celtic people of the valley saw Neart De – a creative energy of God – present and active in all this. They gave praise and thanks.
There’s no plant in the ground but is full of God’s blessing; There’s no thing in the sea but is full of God’s life;
There is nought beneath the sun but proclaims
God’s goodness.
Jesus. O Jesus, good it is to praise you
Reefert Church
The name means ‘ Burial Place of the Kings’.
It is the church most connected with the dead. It is believed to be the original site of Kevin’s tomb so the local chieftains chose to be buried there. We think of those whom we have loved and who have died. We reflect on what they mean to us; we talk to them and talk to God about them. We give thanks for their lives. If we are grieving a loss at present, we may take a step forward in the grieving process. ‘May perpetual light shine upon them;
may they rest in peace’
Kevin's Cell
If at all possible, take the time to go up the path and steps, just beyond Reefert Church, to the site of Kevin’s cell. Tradition says that this circle of large stones is the foundation of clochan, the tiny stone cell where Kevin lived in solitude and silence.
This is the heart of Glendalough, a beautiful spot which draws one into silence and peace. It is the setting for the best-known and most loved legend, Kevin and the Blackbird.
Kevin in his cell prayed so long and was so still that a blackbird came and laid her eggs in his outstretched hand. Kevin cared for the eggs until they hatched and the fledglings flew!
The legend has inspired contemplatives and artists like poet Seamus Heaney and sculpture Imogen Stuart. Perhaps it can inspire you also. Spend a little time here in the company of Kevin, contemplating God and the work of God.
Be still and know that I am God’.
Make space for silence deep within you and just BE. Monastic tradition said: ‘Remain in your cell (your inner being), your cell will teach you everything’ And then there was St. Kevin and the blackbird.
The Saint is kneeling, arms stretched out, inside
his cell, but the cell is narrow so One turned up palm is out the window, stiff
As a crossbeam, when a blackbird lands
And lays in it and settles down to nest. Kevin feels the warm eggs, the small breast, the tucked Neat head and claws and, finding himself linked
Into the network of eternal life
Is moved to pity ….. (Seamus Heaney)
May the blessings and peace of Glendalough remain with you as you go.