Glendalough

So, I had the extreme pleasure to venture for the first time outta the city the other day. Dublin is great - museums, pubs, tourist, lots of action - but Ireland's true beauty lays in it's countryside. All those rolling green hills you hear about can only be found when you step outside the city. Being in the fresh country air is like, well, a breath of fresh air. From the country houses to the sheep and cow farms to the general stores in the everyone-knows-your-name towns, that is what give Ireland it's charm and what has the tourists coming back to.
I went on a tour of Glendalough, which was an area discovered by Kevin the monk, before the Vikings came and pillaged what he had built up. And in this little 'village', between a clearing, was a most beautiful lake set between the mountains. And now, to the pictures :)

Ruins of the Kevin's Round Tower and church

The waterfall leading to the Upper Lake

And the Upper Lake

Some other sites along the way.....

And waaaaay down there in the distance is an estate for rent of only 20,000 Euro per week, called Luggala. Michael Jackson stayed there for 3 months back in 2006!

We then continued onto the world-famous Avoca factory, the oldest in Ireland, where they hand knit blankets, throws, gloves, etc. Made for an interesting visit, indeed.

Hey look, there's me!

Tooooons of beautiful scenery on the trip, but alas, no castles. Had to settle for a (nother) beer. Rather, a cider. Really getting to like those, of which there are MANY to choose from, here in Eire. 

I truly hope to make it outta the city again soon, and will update of course, with more pictures!