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Street Prophets Friday: Glendalough, The Valley of Two Lakes (photo diary/open thread) [1]

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Date: 2025-03-14

Greetings and welcome to another fluffy, little open thread. This week I'm sharing a collection of photos from a long hike to the head of the Glendalough valley in Ireland from a trip I took last summer.

Glendalough

After spending much of the morning taking a guided tour of the monastery grounds at Glendalough (as seen in my last diary), we set out on a long hike to the head of the Glenealo valley.

a series of small waterfalls

After a steep climb, we came to an overlook situated somewhere above the cave that Saint Kevin had lived in.

Much higher still, we came out of the trees to a broad view looking down into the Glendalough valley

Slightly different angle and you can see both lakes below us.

Looking up the valley it becomes the Glenealo Valley, you can see the rest of the upper lake stretched out before us and the distant head of the valley itself.

We walked on these narrow boardwalks for much of the journey up this side of the valley. Here again we're looking down the valley with both lakes visible.

One of the many, disturbingly tame, Japanese Sika Deer in the area.

As we neared the head of the valley, the boardwalks ended.

The valley had been the site of a lead mine. The website link on the info panel redirects to a Facebook Group dedicated to mining history in Ireland.

I did find this animal den under some broad rocks on the trail. From the size of the hole I'd guess either a fox or a badger. I couldn't make out any clear tracks.

We stopped for a late picnic lunch at a rocky spot at the valley's head.

After lunch ...

Making the turn and heading back down

There was evidence of the mining operation still evident although the mines themselves had been closed for a long time. There’s a gray mound of tailings in the background on the right.

Currently the background on my computer monitor.

Now what do you suppose this is a picture of?

You may be able to make out the curved horns of some critically endangered Old Irish Goats— I'd heard them before I saw them.

Ruins of old mining buildings

A bit of old, cast-iron mining infrastructure.

a closer look with mining tailings in the background.

Back into the woods. Looking back up the path to where my lovely companions dawdle. The upper lake is on the left

“Look, look! I think that's Saint Kevin's cave up ahead!”

Must be, that doesn't look entirely natural ...

And yes, further on— there's a sign.

While splashing about in the upper lake, near the monastery, I caught this final picture from Glendalough.

Thanks for stopping by.

This is an open thread.

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