My Favorite Places

It would probably be impossible to pick my favorite place in Ireland, but picking my favorite places, that I can do. Let me share some places on the Emerald Isle that have won my heart. 

Dunluce Castle sits perched on the North coast of Antrim in Northern Ireland. I've been here twice and have a personal connection with this wild & dramatic castle ruin. You can read more about my experiences HERE.

Cahir Castle, in County Tipperary, is one of my favorite castles. It is the perfect combination of ruin & restoration. Situated on a river with gorgeous grounds, this castle takes my mind right to the Middle Ages. It has been restored in a manner that retains this ambience, without filling it up with antiques and décor that I generally find distracting.

Glendalough Monastic Ruins and Forest combine two or Ireland's best attributes -stunning scenery and incredible history. This place is pure magic. The forest glows under a blanket of moss, a waterfall cascades down the mountain side, pristine valley lake whisper of the history they have seen. And at the base of the mountain and through out the forest, the ruins of a century monastery beckon your exploration. I could return here time and time again. Learn more and see more photos of my journeys into Glendalough HERE.

Dublin, of course, with its cobbled lanes, cathedrals, pubs, and history. My favorite thing about Dublin is its walkability. We nearly always explore Dublin on foot for there is so much to marvel at and always something new. Its lack the intensity and overwhelming size and busy-ness of larger European cities without losing any charm. 

Tollymore Forest Park is one of the most lovely woodlands I've encountered in Ireland. Beautiful, whimsical, and kind of a hidden gem. Architectural follies dot the forest and evoke magic of another era. Explore with me HERE.

Ancient Past

Ancient Valley 5x7 Postcard $2.50

Autumn has rolled in and Halloween is just around the corner, beyond the mist and fog. Send some Samhain greetings with this spooky postcard "Ancient Valley" - a view of the graves at Glendalough, Ireland. $2.50 each or 6 for $10. Available now HERE .

Glendalough, Ireland - The Valley of the Two Lakes

There is a magical, mystical place in a remote wooded valley, deep in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. Some call it holy, many call it beautiful, but its name is Glendalough. Glen-duh-lock and it means Valley of the Two Lakes. It is a special place indeed. The woods which are now an Irish National Park are soft with moss and colored with that green light that only seems to shine in Irish woods. Hiking trails crisscross the seemingly ancient forest. The Poulanass waterfall rewards intrepid hikers who trek to its heights with a stunning view and the Glendasan river sings its song over the water-worn boulders below.

And then there is the history of this place. The ruins of an Early Christian Monastic settlement sit at the base of the woods. St. Kevin was a hermit and sought solitude and peace here at Glendalough in the 6th century. He later established a monastery here where he found peace with the wild animals of the woods. In fact, many of his legends involve animals, most famous is St. Kevin and the blackbird:

Legend holds that one day, St. Kevin, with his arms outstretched, knelt deep in prayer. As he did so a blackbird nested I his hand & laid an egg. St. Kevin, being compassionate & patient, did not move his hand nor remove the eggs until the birds hatched & flew away.

Today, many structures remain from the time of St. Kevin through later centuries when Glendalough served as a holy center. Tranquility, perhaps, is what the monks sought here and I can attest that here, tranquility remains.

This locus of peace and natural beauty seems to be at wild corner of Ireland, far from modernity but it is, in fact, just about an hour drive from the capital, Dublin. And if you ever go to Ireland, especially if you are only visiting Dublin, make a point to take a day bus trip to Glendalough. (Note: it's quite busy on weekends). It is such a great slice of the history, landscape, & soul of Ireland. 

My visits to Glendalough inspired a block print in February's Emerald Post and it is still available HERE.

We captured this view after we accidently took one of the longer, and much steeper trails that Glendalough has to offer. Pretty much worth it though.

Inside February Emerald Post

February's Parcel all bundled up.

An Original 5x7 Block Print of Glendalough - Valley of the Two Lakes

Black ink on a Mossy Green Paper.

Accompanied by some history of the ancient site.

5x7 Notecard of Doorway at St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, Ireland

4x6 Postcard of Grazing Sheep near Charleville Forest, Ireland

5x7 Original Blockprint of Glendalough

Miniature Notecard & Envelope - Blooming Fuchsia