The Wicklow Mountains
 

Wicklow Mountains National Park covers part of a mountain range that extends over most of County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. The upper slopes and rounded peaks are blanketed with heath and bog. The open vistas are interrupted only by forestry plantations and the winding mountain roads. Fast-flowing streams descend into the deep lakes of the wooded valleys and continue their course into the surrounding lowlands.

After spending most of the day travelling across Ireland to the Wicklow Mountains, we booked into the B & B then carried on to Avoca, made famous by the BBC hit series Ballykissangel. Here we made a brief visit to Avoca Hand weavers, Ireland's oldest surviving working mill before stretching our legs on a short walk through the woods behind the village. The local pub became the focus for a photo shoot - for those who watched the TV series.

The most visited area in the Wicklow Mountains is the scenic Glendalough Valley where the ancient monastic settlement of St. Kevin is located - our target for the following day. After exploring the Monastic village we continued past the Upper Lake and up the valley to the ruined miners' village but found there wasn’t much left there. Climbing out of the valley head we soon left the popular route and were once more into navigating with the compass – but at least we could see where we were going this time. After losing the path in boggy ground we happened on a large herd of deer. They were very obliging and didn’t move away until we got quite close to them – taking lots of photos as we approached. By this time we were well off our route and had to make our way through dense heather before getting back onto the track. It was then an easy walk over two summits of Camaderry and a lovely grassy path most of the way back to the car.

Scroll down to see photos taken on this walk

The local pub used in Ballykissangel

 

Glendalough Monastic settlement

 

Approaching the settlement . . .

 

we arrive at St Kevin's Church or 'Kitchen'

 

Information about the cathedral is quite detailed . . .

 

and the cathedral itself . . .

 

is well worth a visit

 

Glendalough Round Tower is about 30 metres high with an entrance 3.5 metres from the base

 

Walking past the Upper Lake . . .

 

to where there are few signs of past activity at the miners' village . . .

 

together with some ruined buildings

 

Climbing out of the valley . . .

 

a waterfall provides a picturesque spot for a morning break . . .

 

and a view back down the valley to the Upper Lake

 

Leaving the main path we come across a herd of deer . . .

 

who don't seem too worried by our presence . . .

 

as we approach cautiously . . .

 

and manage to get lots of photos (using the zoom)

 

Then in the opposite direction some stags appear . . .

 

but quickly move out of sight

 

Back to the main group . . .

 

we must have spent ages getting nearer still . . .

 

and spot a couple who are quite friendly before tearing ourselves away

 

The first, and highest, summit of Camaderry . . .

 

deserves a group photo . . .

 

before we continue to the second summit . . .

 

from where we have a good view of where we have just been

 

Beginning the descent Laragh comes into view . . .

 

and we catch a last glimpse of the Round Tower

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