St. Kevin's Monastery

Round 110 ft tower, which called monks to prayer, stored their grain, and hid people during Viking raids.

We visited St. Kevin's Monastery on a cloudy, windswept day. According to Rick Steves, St. Kevin's, founded in the 6th century, is one of Ireland's most impressive monastic settlements. These monasteries served in the place of cities in Ireland, where they helped spread Christianity and the work of copying the canons of Western civilization.

Below are photos of the interior of the cathedral at the monastery.

As we walked around the grounds in the wind and grey, I couldn't help but remember what Thomas Cahill wrote in "How The Irish Saved Civilization" about St. Patrick. Kidnapped from England as a teenager, Patrick was sold into slavery in Ireland where he worked as a shepherd. Cahill says he has two constant companions, "hunger and nakedness and that the gnawing in his belly and the chill on his exposed skin were his worst sufferings, acutely painful presences that could not be shaken off." What fortitude and strength the Irish people had to not only survive these conditions but build the monasteries of their land.

St. Kevin followed in the path of St. Patrick. He lived for seven years as a hermit but attracted many disciples, including St. Lawrence, who wanted to learn from him. St. Kevin's 10 ft cross is pictured above. It is carved out of one piece of granite.

.

 Here is St. Kevin's prayer.

Ever-living, loving God, long ago

You led the young man 

to the beautiful valley of Glendalough 

to follow his dream 

and grow in knowledge of himself

and union with You 

through presence, prayer, penance and silence.

Help us to treasure life as he did

accepting all its shades of light and darkness.

In our busy world help us to find a little space

to be still and know that You are God

calling us home to heaven

where you live and reign

with Jesus and the Holy Spirit,

one God forever and ever.

Amen.