About | Glendalough Guided Walks

Thanks Gilda – Lovely to Meet You All

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Martin Swords

Greetings to you Martin,

Thank you for the information–it is very kind of you to take the time to send it to us.

Your walk was lovely and we all enjoyed it very much. There is so much history to learn and our old brains are so full it is sometimes very difficult to stuff in anything else! Being told the myths and legends and stories, standing on the same ground, gazing upon the physical ruins and remnants of a previous world, brings it to life in a way that reading a book or pamphlet could never do. It was a thoroughly enjoyable few hours and we will gladly recommend your services to anyone traveling your way.

Warmest regards,

Gilda

Picture is of me as one of St. Kevin’s monks for a special walk to celebrate Heritage Week.

I don’t usually dress up ! ! Martin

Good Advice

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Martin Swords

“If you go, hire Martin Swords”

Reviewed 10 November 2012

We picked a house for a week rental near the town of Shillelagh. I specifically wanted to be in Wicklow, to be near Glendalough. I had been before and was amazed by its beauty and history. But this time, I hired a guide, something I rarely do. He is on TripAdvisor, Martin Swords. This man single-handedly made the experience a journey, not a visit. We were with him for hours, just the two of us.

He told the history, the nature of Pilgrimage, some off-colored jokes about Relics and other saintly items and legends. Martin was a retired teacher, but did not teach, he shared, he led you deeper into Glendalough than I ever would have imagined.

Even without him, this is still one of the most magical and special of places.

A Nice Review – Thank You Alman 1958 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Martin Swords

Thank you Alman 1958 for a really nice review – glad you enjoyed your

Glendalough Guided Walk (glendaloughguidedwalks.com)

Come back to Glendalough, or send your friends – I’ll look after them

Martin

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowUserReviews-g1386362-d190117-r145107106-Glendalough_Monastic_Settlement-Vale_of_Glendalough_County_Wicklow.html

Image Gallery

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Martin Swords

Some images that have inspired me over the years taken by my good friend and local artist Deborah McCoy.

Glendalough Valley

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Martin Swords

Glendalough (Irish: Gleann Dá Loch, meaning “Glen of Two Lakes”) is a glacial valley located in County Wicklow, Ireland, renowned for its Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, a hermit priest, and destroyed in 1398 by English troops. Kevin, a descendant of one of the ruling families in Leinster, studied as a boy under the care of three holy men. During this time, he went to Glendalough. He was to return later, with a small group of monks to found a monastery where the ‘two rivers form a confluence’.

His fame as a holy man spread and he attracted numerous followers. He died in about 618. For six centuries afterwards, Glendalough flourished and the Irish Annals contain references to the deaths of abbots and raids on the settlement.