Just wondering what you guys think - is Glengalough interesting?

I thought it was beautiful and peaceful ... if you can get there when the crowds are low. The walk to the lower lake is lovely. I cut short my walk to the upper lake (I think that's the one farther out) because the mosquitoes were biting!!

So, I'd say it's worth a trip, but not an overnight.

If old, old ruins and buildings are interesting to you--yes. Like above poster said, it's beautiful, and peaceful, but not worth an overnight. One can go from there over the Wicklow Gap and on toward Kilkenny.

It very much depend on what you are interested in and how much time you have.
Glendalough is one of the main monastic sites in Ireland. It is a tranquil setting of two lakes under the shadow of the mountains (tranquil when there are no tourist buses around). There is also the old monastic site - round tower and old gravestones and old monastery ruin. Like all Irish monastic sites it was chosen by the monks as a special place of natural beauty and a place that they considered where the sky and earth met and was therefore close to heaven.
Although it is close to Dubin you are talking about a full day to get there and back as the road goes across the mountains. However, the drive across the mountains is worthwhile. Glendalough is also a good centre for walking the hills and there are good paths above Glendalough for walking and looking down on the lakes. This, of course, very much depends on if this is your particular interest and if you have the time to do it.

I think it's quite interesting of course taking into account what Padhraicin had to say, it depends on your interest. As I remember, Michelin gives it a "Worth a Journey" rating meaning it is something that you would go out of your way for. I also think it's worth an overnight as the area is quite beautiful. The Vale of Clara from Rathdrum to Laragh is beautiful and Powerscourt is right up the road. There is plenty to do in the area to spend a day.

Of course, If you are not going anywhere near there, it wouldn't make any sense to go.

Bill

We made a day trip from Glendalough to Dublin several years ago and the trip was not bad -- we had several hours to spend in Dublin before we had to head back -- but it would probably be better to stop there on your way to or from Dublin rather than use it as a base. Unfortunately our visit to that part of Ireland was clouded by a bad experience (my husband's) with black pudding, and that is the first thing I think of now when I hear the name. But I thought Glendalough was absolutely lovely, worth a stop if not a detour, and the drive between there and Dublin was beautiful.

Definitely, definitely YES! It is one of my favorite places in Ireland (though I must say there are none that I don't like a lot.) Perhaps I am prejudiced because I lived near there 40 years ago and have many happy memories of hiking and exploring in the area.

As a previous poster noted, there is lots to see and do in county Wicklow. Powerscourt Estate (beautiful gardens) and Powerscourt waterfall are not far away. The road over the mountains and through Sally Gap is beautiful. Russborough House is not far away. Avoca, the village where Ballykissangel was filmed is not far off.(Don't know if you are a fan of that PBS series imported from Ireland)

The Big Sugarloaf mountain and Little Sugarloaf are nearby--good hiking areas.

You might want to base yourself at a B&B in one of the nearby coast towns like Bray or Greystones and explore this area of Wicklow if you have time.

Greystones and Bray are both on the commuter rail line to Dublin and have frequent train service into the city. Staying in one of these towns with a car is much easier than finding parking in Dublin.

Have fun! Teach

|It depends on the time of year but it is a really lovely place and I would reccommend it as a part of a day trip after powerscourt townhouse. I find it quite peaceful. Also a lot of the film Braveheart was f8ilmed here.

Definitely worth a visit. We were there in early June a few years ago and did not have a problem with mosquitos. We only allowed two hours and that was not enough time. Take a picnic--I regret not doing that.

Note that you can also get there without a car. I took St. Kevin's Bus:
http://www.glendaloughbus.com/

It turns out it's the bus that many schoolkids in the area take as their schoolbus! Not really a tourist bus at all, but rather a bus that happens to pick up a few tourists.

Since you should be staying at least one night in Wicklow (hint hint) it is definitely worth a trip. The Wicklow Gap is stunning. The Meeting of the Waters. Sigh. I need to go to Ireland again.

Definitely! I took "award-winning" photos with my little digital camera...and could have done so with my eyes closed!