Glendalough: A Celtic Pilgrimage

by Michael Rodgers, Marcus Losack

This detailed guidebook explores Celtic spirituality, the timeless legends of glendalough and its founder, Kevin, a sixth-century Irish saint. It includes poems, Celtic texts, maps, and vivid descriptions of the land.

Genres: Ireland, Religion, Travel

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book along with a Celtic Pilgrimage in Glendalough was very special. Spending the morning with Michael Rodgers was more than I could have imagine.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, well researched, thorough guidebook and a must-read for anyone traveling to Glendaloch as a pilgrim. The stories of St. Kevin,the patron saint, and the beliefs of the early inhabitants give the reader a taste of what life was like in Celtic times. Rodgers and Losack invite the reader to experience the holiness of Glendaloch on a personal level by including suggestions on how to experience the Holy. The book closes with this sentence:"As we prepare to leave this enchanted valley, having come to the end of our pilgrimage in Glendaloch, let us give thanks to God for the people whose lives have inspired us on this journey...."

[Neil Kenealy · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a very useful book to understand the attraction of glendalough as a tourist destination. It describes the ruins that remain and has Celtic Spirituality with a little bit of history that will take you through the area of this 6-12th Century Monastic site. The book is best used on site. The book focuses mainly on structural features of the ruins with some added side notes on St. Kevin and the community he founded.

[Tarun Rattan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the history of St. Kevin of Ireland and the monastery he setup in Wicklow mountains which is now a famous pilgrimage in Ireland. I've visited the monastery at Glendalough a number of times and it is really a place of utmost serenity and purity. Its only a 45 minutes drive from the place I live and I feel lucky to live near such a beautiful an holy place. If anybody wants a nourishment for their souls this should be a place to visit. This guidebook is well researched and for anyone traveling to Glendalough as a pilgrim, it should come as handy. It contains the legends of St. Kevin, the saint of Glendalough and also glimpses of Celtic way of life as influenced by the early catholic beliefs. The natural beauty of Glendalough is enchanting, the trails of Lower and Upper lakes is always enthralling and takes you closer to the spiritual realm that you miss out in the daily rhythm of life. The beauty of upper lake is unsurpassable and on a sunny summer day there is nothing better than to go out there with a book in hand reading it surrounded by the glorious natural beauty all around you.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me back to my own journey to Glendalough, five years ago last week. I was fortunate enough to be with a group of travelers who met with Fr Rogers, who guided us around parts of the old Monastery City, and provided inspiration. Reading the book prompted me to dig through my photographs of the area, giving rise to beautiful memories.

My Pilgrimage

My pilgrimage took me to Glendalough,
And there in the shadow of a cloigtheach,
I felt the power of a rock,
And the strength of community joined
Through St Kevin's Cross.
By Michael F Bell