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Glendalough Tour 15th June 2005.
On 15th June OS, 30 members of Castleknock Active Retirement Association went on
their annual outing to Wicklow, taking in Glendalough, Avoca, The Meeting of the Waters,
Rathdrum, Aughrim, Woodenbridge, Macreddin Village and Brooklodge Hotel and Wells Spa for dinner.
A luxury coach, supplied by O'Brien's Mullingar, collected the group at Our Lady's Parish Centre,
Castleknock at 10 am. In bright sunshine, they travelled through the beautiful countryside of
Blessington (skirting the lakes), Hollywood, Laragh to Glendalough. A welcome stop for coffee
and scones at the Glendalough Hotel was the rendezvous for an arranged meeting with members of
the local Active Retirement Association, one of whom, Sister Kathleen from the Heritage Centre,
gave them an hour's guided tour of the monastic settlement of St Kevin. Of special interest were,
the famous round Tower (34 metres high and 16 metres in circumference, still in almost perfect
condition even though it is almost a 1000 years old), the Cathedral, stone churches and decorated
crosses - probably a 1000 to 1100 years old. She informed them of many legends and tales, also
reminding them that Glendalough was an early monastic settlement, a place of prayer and pilgrimage
for hundreds of years, encouraging an occasional prayer and facilitating short readings at the
Round Tower and The Cathedral.
Continuing through the picturesque Vale of Clara, the party stopped briefly for photographs,
refreshments, etc. at the Meeting of the Waters, in the "Sweet Vale of Avoca" made famous in
Moore's Melodies. In nearby Avoca village, of Ballykissangel fame, they were afforded time for
shopping at the famous woolen mills and for refreshments at Fitzgeralds and other hosteleries.
Leaving Avoca, they travelled the short journey through the scenic area of Aughrim and Woodenbridge
to McCreddin Village and Brooklodge Hotel, where there was time to browse in the craft shops and
small boutique before sitting down to a delicious five-course meal of organic foods in the
beautifully appointed Strawberry Restaurant, Ireland's first fully organic one.The journey home
through Rathdrum, Glen of the Downs and Enniskerry was shortened by a lively sing-a-long, solo items,
recitations, etc.
All enjoyed a wonderful day out, some enquiring, "Can we go again? "
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