Ireland Day 10 - Hollywood to Dublin

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Wicklow Gap

Inevitably we had to end up in Dublin for our flight home this day, but that was in the afternoon, so we had all morning to drive around the Wicklow National Park.

Wicklow mountains
For a brief moment we thought we were heading into another cloudstorm!

Wicklow mountains
The bleak, boggy landscape of Wicklow Gap pass

 

Glendalough

At the eastern end of the Wicklow Gap pass is the historical town of Glendalough. Now ruins, it was for many centuries a major monastical settlement, founded by St Kevin in the 7th Century.

Abandoned mining village
In the hills above Glendalough are the ruins of an abandoned lead-mining village

Glendalough
Looking down towards Glendalough

Split rock
It's a bleak landscape, but with some amazing rock features

 

Glendalough monastery round tower
The round tower at Glendalough Monastery

Glendalough monastery round tower
This ruined building was a cathedral, 1400 years ago

Glendalough monastery chapel
An ancient chapel visible behind the graveyard

Glendalough monastery
The stunning views from the monastery area

Glendalough monastery chapel
Another ancient building at Glendalough

 

Of course, there's a lough at Glendalough, which is about 15 minutes' walk from the monastery ruins, along a beautiful forest path.

Glendalough upper lake
The upper lake at Glendalough

Glendalough upper lake
The upper lake at Glendalough

 

Powercourt Waterfall

Further north in the Wicklow National Park, almost on the southern outskirts of Dublin is Ireland's highest waterfall, Powercourt.

Great sugar loaf mountain
Great Sugar Loaf mountain which dominates the road north from Glendalough

 

Powercourt waterfall
Powercourt waterfall -- note the people in front which gives you an idea of scale

Powercourt waterfall
Powercourt waterfall close up

Powercourt waterfall
You can get up close to the waterfall -- that's me in the bottom right

Powercourt waterfall
The waterfall comes from an underground river which must pass through iron-bearing rock as the water in the pool below is bright red

Powercourt waterfall
One more shot of the waterfall

 

Heading back to Dublin

After the beauty of the national park it was rather disappointing to have to make our way over to the motorway and head for Dublin and the airport.

Wicklow National Park
One final scenic shot of a small waterfall in Wicklow National Park

 

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