I went out last July to Glendalough, only getting around to publishing photos now. Glendalough is one of my favourite places in Ireland and probably my favourite place in the east of this beautiful country.

It was a surprisingly warm and sunny (for the most part) day. Glendalough is an old monastic settlement dating back to the 6th century. Glendalough was one of Irelands great ecclesiastical foundations and schools of learning for 500 years.

I took the Derrybawn Woodland Trail while I was there, an 8km walk around from the monastic site of the round tower to St. Saviour's Church. From there you climb for fantastic views of the site and come down by Poulanass Waterfall and on to the upper lake. Here's a link to more information on walking trails in beautiful Glendalough

Here are a few of my photos from the day. The first two pictures were taken on the way to Glendalough. I stopped just before the road decends into the valley.

1. Wicklow Mountains - Bog Land
Taken by: Canon 40D (F8, 1/250 sec, ISO-100)

2. Wicklow Mountains - One of the many lakes
Taken by: Canon 40D (F8, 1/125 sec, ISO-100)

The next three photos were taken in the valley on the way to St. Saviours Church. The first is the the river from just beside the wooden bridge that crosses it, while the other two are of the same river just further down. You can see from the photos (displayed in the order they were taken) how often the weather can change in Ireland in the space of 3 or 4 hours.

3. Glendalough - River (1)
Taken by: Canon 40D (F5.6, 1/60 sec, ISO-100)

4. Glendalough - River (2)
Taken by: Canon 40D (F4, 1/800 sec, ISO-100)

5. Glendalough - River (3)
Taken by: Canon 40D (F6.3, 1/80 sec, ISO-100)

6. Cross Leaved Heath
Taken by: Canon 40D (F5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO-400)

The next two pictures were taken from the top of the valley walk I went on. In the first you can see the monastic village and the upper lake in the second.

7. The View from Above
Taken by: Canon 40D (F5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO-160)
8. Upper Lake
Taken by: Canon 40D (F8, 1/100 sec, ISO-100)

The next picture was taken before the river reaches the Poulanass Waterfall. I messed around with the timing until I got the image I was looking for.

9. On the way
Taken by: Canon 40D (F25, 1 sec, ISO-125)

10. Monastic Village Church
Taken by: Canon 40D (F8, 1/125 sec, ISO-100)
The blue skys came out to play again!