- Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch): One of Ireland’s most celebrated early monastic settlements, founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, whose legend of ascetic life in the wilderness draws on pre-Christian reverence for the valley’s lakes and mountains as sacred natural places. The site features a round tower, cathedral ruins, several churches, high crosses, and St Kevin’s Bed (a cave retreat). It remains a major pilgrimage destination, especially on St Kevin’s feast day (3 June), evoking the golden age of Celtic Christianity.
- St Kevin’s Holy Well, Glendalough: Located near the upper lake and close to St Kevin’s Cell ruins, this holy well is dedicated to the saint and renowned for healing properties in local tradition. Pilgrims perform rounds, prayers, and leave offerings here, reflecting the continuity of sacred water veneration from pre-Christian times through Kevin’s monastic foundation.
- St Kevin’s Well (Tobar na Naomh), Hollywood: Situated in the village of Hollywood at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, this striking holy well dedicated to St Kevin features a stone wellhouse, statue, and surrounding devotional area. It attracts pilgrims seeking blessings and cures, and its location marks an important stop on ancient pilgrim paths into the mountains.
- Powerscourt Waterfall and Deer Park area (with pre-Christian associations): While best known for its natural beauty, the Powerscourt estate encompasses landscapes long revered in pre-Christian times as sacred glens and springs. Folklore links nearby features to ancient rituals, and the area’s proximity to early Christian sites reflects the Christianisation of Wicklow’s wild, spiritually charged terrain.
- St Brigid’s Holy Well, Blessington: Dedicated to St Brigid, this well in the Blessington area exemplifies her widespread veneration across Ireland, with possible pre-Christian roots in goddess traditions of fertility, healing, and protection. Set in a peaceful rural spot, it draws devotees for prayers, rounds, and the leaving of clooties on nearby trees or bushes.
- Kiltegan (St David’s Holy Well and church ruins): An early medieval site with church ruins and a holy well dedicated to St David (or a local early saint). The location highlights the presence of lesser-known saints in Wicklow’s monastic landscape, and the well continues to serve as a quiet place of local pilgrimage for healing and reflection.
- Tiglin (St John’s Well, near Ashford): A notable holy well associated with St John, set in a scenic glen and known for its curative traditions in folk belief. It attracts pilgrims for devotions, especially around midsummer patterns, blending early Christian devotion with the long-standing reverence for sacred springs in Wicklow’s valleys.
- Lugnaquilla Mountain and St Colmcille’s associations: Ireland’s highest inland peak, Lugnaquilla has deep pre-Christian significance as a place of ritual and possible inauguration or seasonal gatherings in ancient Leinster lore. Traditions link St Colmcille (Columba) to the mountain, with holy wells and cairns in the area reflecting the saint’s influence in Christianising upland sacred sites. Hikers and pilgrims visit for its spiritual atmosphere and panoramic views.
County Wicklow:
Ireland’s county Wicklow is known as the Garden of Ireland for its lush landscapes, with Glendalough’s monastic ruins and round tower set amidst serene lakes and valleys. The Wicklow Mountains National Park offers hiking trails with stunning views, while Powerscourt Estate’s manicured gardens and waterfall add natural elegance. Other attractions include the coastal paths of Bray. Wicklow is Ireland’s 17th largest county by size (,025 sq km) and 16th largest by population (155,851). Population peaked at 126,143 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 57,591 in 1926. In terms of hospitality, Wicklow is Ireland’s twelfth most visited tourist county with around 204,000 international visitors per year.
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Sacred Places
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
