crosses historical wicklow

A long rectangular 12th century church. The west doorway is flat-headed but has Romanesque moulding on the outside and a round arch inside, and also holes which held the bars to lock the door. Two round-headed windows in the east wall have hood-mouldings on the outside supported by pillars. There are also some old gravestones, a water font and an unfinished granite cross. Little is known about the history of the place other than that the monastery was possibly founded in the early 6th centur...

A granite cross set in a square base. The cross is tall and thin, and the arms are proportionately wide in relation to the small unpierced ring. Tradition says that it had another pair of arms! Although called St. Mark's Cross, it was known as St. Baoithin's Cross in the 19th century. It originally stood some distance away at Burgage, but was moved to its present site when it was in danger of being submerged while the Liffey valley nearby was being flooded for a hydroelectric scheme around 194...

A small granite cross, allegedly brought here from elsewhere. It has an unpierced ring at the top, with a representation of the Crucifixion on one side and two worn human heads on the other. Its date is uncertain, but it is probably 15th/16th century....

A granite Cross, semi-celtic in style, St. Kevin's Cross stands between the Priest's House and Cathedral. Its position, central to the east wall of the ancient cemetery, suggests it may have been a boundary cross. It dates to the late sixth or early seventh century. An old custom surrounds the Cross, and it is said that anyone who succeeds in encircling their arms around the shaft will have their wish granted....

Granite, the type of stone which predominates in the valley doesn't lend itself well to ornamentation, it being much too hard. Consequently, the intricate designs and exquisite carvings which are to be found on memorials elsewhere (notably Clonmacnoise) are less notable in Glendalough. Nevertheless, the abundance of memorials which have been discovered are of great antiquity. Found both within the various churches and along the roadsides, many are commemorative rather than sepulchral. Apart...

St. Kevin: The Valley seems to have been deserted for centuries before Kevin arrived, initially as a hermit, in the sixth century. Born of Royal blood in 498 AD, his father Coemlug was a descendant of Cu-Corb, King of Leinster. His education commenced at an early age under St. Petroc of Cornwall and further studies followed under the guidance of St. Eugenius at Kilnamanagh, County Dublin. However, when it was suggested that Kevin should take charge of the monastery there, he fled, dreading...