It must have been a great idea at the time - Kevin (soon to be Saint Kevin) was looking for a place to be home alone, to lose himself in prayer and contemplation. Wandering the wild Wicklow mountains he happened upon a valley. Where two lakes, connected by a stream, provided nourishment and a spectacular view. That was Kevin settled then.
Unfortunately the patient saint, who famously allowed a bird to nest in his outstretched hands, started a trend. Not only monks flocked into the "valley of the two lakes" (or, in Irish, Glendalough). Kevin had built up a secular fan-base as well. Which annoyed the reclusive man quite a bit. So much so that he countered the amorous advances of a woman by pushing her into a patch of nettles.
These days you are more likely to suffer a close encounter with vegetation on holiday weekends, when hordes of tourists flock to Glendalough and provide a mobile, ever-moving obstacle course. If you can, go during the week, maybe even in the off-season. And for a first, peaceful look, have a peek at my image gallery of Gleandalough ...
Photo © 2008 Bernd Biege licensed to About.com, Inc.