Glendalough: Celtic Goddess Guided Walking Tour

About This Tour

Long before Christian monks settled in this glacial valley, the landscape around Glendalough held deep spiritual meaning in Celtic tradition. This three-hour guided walking tour peels back the layers of history to reveal the goddess mythology, nature worship, and ancient belief systems that shaped Ireland long before the round tower was built.

Your guide leads you through the monastic city - past the iconic round tower, weathered Celtic crosses, and the stone church known as St Kevin’s Kitchen - while telling the stories that most tours skip entirely. You will hear about the female figures of Irish mythology whose presence lingers in the lakes, the mountains, and the place names themselves. The connection between the sacred feminine and the natural world runs deep here, and your guide brings those threads together with scholarship and genuine passion.

The valley itself does much of the work. Two dark lakes sit between steep, forested hillsides, and the ruins of the monastic settlement stretch across the valley floor. With the Wicklow Mountains rising all around, Glendalough feels like a place set apart from the modern world - which is exactly what drew monks here in the sixth century, and what draws visitors still.

What’s Included

• Expert guided walking tour lasting three hours
• Insight into Celtic mythology and goddess traditions
• Full tour of the monastic settlement and surrounding landscape

Good to Know

• Glendalough is about 50 kilometres south of Dublin in County Wicklow - transport is not included
• Wear sturdy footwear as paths can be uneven and muddy, especially after rain
• Bring a waterproof layer - the valley creates its own weather
• The tour is mostly outdoors so dress for the conditions
• A moderate level of fitness is helpful as the walk covers varied terrain