lenlu

I assumed this place was a must see but fitting it in has been a challenge. In your opinion, should we really make an effort to see it (I can arrange a day tour but it's a LONG day, from Dublin)? We'll also aim to see the Ring of Kerry and Dingle (or is one better?) as well as the Cliffs, the Burren and Connemara. On the way home we plan on Newgrange. So, given all the other amazing things we plan to see, is Glendalough worth it to you?
Thank you!

kleeblatt

No, I'd skip it. It's a smallish lake, a ruin and that's about it.

Tony2phones

If you have an interest in Old Monastic sights then Glendalough is as good as any and the coach tour will take you through some decent countryside I would just see how you feel when you are here because there are a wide choice of tours which include the sight. I can make comments on Dingle on this forum without getting the evil eye from TA. So for my contribution. Stay in Killarney you can run out to Skellig on the Ring if you like and then drive around Dingle taking in Slea Head and leaving by the Connor Pass on the way up to Clare and Connamara.

lenlu

Shuler, I really needed someone to say that. Thank you! I'm tired of stressing out about it. I'm not much into Monastic ruins so I think I can leave it. Tony2phones, sorry to hear you'll get an evil eye (sorry...I am laughing). People are protective. I appreciate your feedback. We are staying near Killarney at Cahernane so close enough. Thanks so much!

Padraig

I don't much care if lenlu goes to Glendalough or not, but to dismiss it as Schuler does is absurd. It's one of the most beautiful and interesting places in Ireland.

jefe

Padraig is right. Definitely not a place just to dismiss. I think schuler was heard to describe the Cliffs of Moher as "some wet rocks" and Connemara as "a peat bog with some horses"

lenlu

I think he's just saying it may be worth a visit the next time. I'm trying to cram too much in and something has to give. There are so many wonderful things to do and see in all of Ireland, it's hard to find an itinerary that works and covers all of it. From the photos, Glendalough/Wicklow look beautiful but it's over 7 hours on a tour bus for one of two days I have in Dublin. The only alternative is to swing down there with jet lag on the day we arrive as we head to Kilkenny. It's not that we didn't feel it was a beautiful place worthy of attention.

Padraig

I understand your dilemma, lenlu, and that is why I said I don't care whether you go to Glendalough or not. In a short visit to Ireland, you can't see everything (I wish more people would understand that).

But others may come along later, read this thread, and knock Glendalough of their list of possibilities on the basis of schuler's sweeping dismissal. I wanted to put another point of view on the record.

kleeblatt

"I think schuler was heard to describe the Cliffs of Moher as "some wet rocks" and Connemara as "a peat bog with some horses"

And another piece of quintessential Irish blarney.

I've done the tour to Glendalough and Wicklow. The countryside is beautiful and brings "Braveheart" to mind (and I believe some of it was even filmed there). However, the OP is going to see a lot of that stuff in his itinerary so my opinion is to shine it for this trip.

Tony2phones

The answers on the other forum will show the general feelings on the south bank of the Shannon estuary. Any help on the Clare/Galway sections though will be gladly given.

Cahernane House is a bit out of town for me in Killarney but a well regarded hotel and handy for the national park.