What an entrance! At best husband’s suggestion, I’m dipping into my Ireland photo collection once again for this week’s photo challenge. This is the entrance to Glendalough Monastery, home of St. Kevin of Ireland and his merry band of monks. Well, okay, maybe they weren’t merry, because after all, being a monk is serious business. Why the double gates? Besides the fact that it makes a better picture, and I’m sure St. Kevin was all about the photo ops, the double gates may have been for better security, as back then everyone was always sacking and looting each other. Guess the gates did not help, as the monastery was later destroyed by the English in 1398. Despite the English conquest, many buildings remain and there’s much for visitors of Glendalough to explore. St. Kevin’s mark is evident, as just about everything there is named “St. Kevin’s bed,” or “St. Kevin’s chair” to the point that I wondered why is it we hear so much about St. Patrick, when apparently St. Kevin was quite renowned. Probably because St. Kevin does not have a day dedicated to drinking associated with his name! 
Unidentified grave, traditionally thought to be St. Kevin's
St. Kevin's ducks of course!
Reefert Church ruin; this archway mirrors the monastery entrance
And one more entrance that I’m hoping no one needs to enter soon – an ancient crypt on Valencia Island.
Open ancient crypt, Valencia Island, Ireland
© Huffygirl 2011
Fabulous pictures, HG – the Irish in me is waging quite nostalgic at the sight of the auld sod.
I didn’t know you were Irish Sandra. One of these days I’m posting my Ireland photo journal. However, I’ve used a lot of Ireland photos lately for the photo challenges, so maybe there won’t be any left that I haven’t already used.
Asking out of curiosity, what camera do you use?
It’s a Kodak Easy Share DX6490 with 10x zoom – one of the earlier Kodak digital cameras. I bought it in 2004, so digital cameras have become much more advanced since. Am probably about due for a newer model.
These are great! I have pictures from Glendalough from 40 years ago; one is the small chapel or hut. I wonder if it’s still there; maybe I’ll get to Ireland again to check it out.
There was a couple different ruined churchs at Glendalough. I think Wikepedia said there was originally 7 churches there. I liked visiting there, except it’s one of those places that bring in bus loads of tourists.
Yes! It’s St. Kevin’s Church; still have a photo in the closet somewhere. Now I really want to get back; I forgot how great it all was.
Do you think we’ll ever get back to Ireland?
Ah fabulous Donna and reminds me how much I would love to get back there for a visit. Your first photo reminds me of a similar (in a way) entrance I photographed in Ireland, and wrote a poem about “These Gates”
http://amarquette333.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/these-gates/
Great post and thank you.
Glad you told me about your gates picture – it’s lovely. I hope other readers of this post will take a look.
Thanks Donna. Did you laugh when you saw, or you may when you see my reply to your comment on my post
Didn’t laugh- just wondering why I didn’t see that place in Ireland. I’m pretty sure I was in Kilkenny.
It was many years ago. Who knows maybe you just didn’t get down that street, or it was changed. That picture was the central, and largest framed print (had it printed in a large formate) in my one woman show in Dublin, Ireland at the Gaiety Theatre. It sold the 2nd night of the show to a man who had to take it then because he was going back to England.
Well I hope you got a good price for it Ann, because it certainly was a good photo. I had no idea you were doing photography shows.
That was a long time ago and I don’t do any photography like that anymore. Costs too much. Photography or writing doesn’t go anywhere when you don’t have the right opportunities to make a living at it. All my work life has been working in the corp world especially when i have to support myself.
Well, maybe as a hobby then…
Great choice for this week’s photo challenge! Love the story that goes with it.
Thanks Susan. It turned out to be a fun photo challenge. And to think at first I was just going to take a picture of my front door.
Right now i only photo family things and and whatever inspires me when I am in Greenville
. But no shows.
That’s an entrancing entrance, to be sure.
Thanks. It definitely makes you want to go in, and once you’re there your glad you did. Beautiful hills, ruins and lots to see.