The Monastic Settlement

It was here that St. Kevin founded a monastery in the sixth century. From this beginning the site grew to become famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe. Indeed, Ireland was known as the "Island of Saints and Scholars". Standing amid the remains of this monastic settlement, one can feel a powerful sense of peace and tranquility.

The settlement continued to expand for 600 years and was destroyed in 1398. The buildings which survive date from the 8th and 12th centuries. The most famous is, of course, the round tower which is 34m high and 16m in circumference at the base. A cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses also survived.

Grafton Street

Grafton Street - The main pedestrian shopping street in Dublin. You can be sure that its always crowded with loads and loads of people - doing shopping!

Grafton Street, located between Trinity College and St Stephen's Green is the more smart shopping area with fashionable stores such as Brown Thomas, the department store catering for many designer showcases, both foreign and local. Dublin's leading and most exclusive jewellers, Weirs, is also here, as well as the most popular of the famous Bewley's Cafés. Other principal shopping streets in the area include Wicklow Street, Dawson Street, and South Great Georges Street.

More on the Monastic Settlement.

Glendalough - the glen of two lakes

Glendalough - The towering peaks of the Wicklow Mountains, covered in forests, are reflected in the two lakes that give the valley its name � �the glen of two lakes.� It really is a beautiful and special place.

Meeting of the Waters

Meeting of the Waters - This is the place where the rivers Avonmore and Avonbeg meet to form the River Avoca. The famous poet Thomas Moore immortalized this place by writing the poem "Sweet Vale of Avoca". Avoca is a village in the heart of the Wicklow mountains

Dunn Laoghaire

D�n Laoghaire is a town on the coast about 7 miles from Dublin, Ireland. It was earlier called as the Kingstown. I am back in Ireland again...!