15. Jul 2025

Glendalough - Mucklagh Hut

Photo 1: Glendalough is known for the ancient monastery established there by the Irish monk St. Kevin (c. 498 -618). Yesterday evening I walked through the old graveyard and rock walls that remain if the monastery. As I did, I sang my pilgrim song. It was if my song was echoing the praise and worship of the saints and monks of former years, filling the roofless walls with the purpose for why they were originally built, calling out for a renewed spiritual awakening in Ireland. Many times as I walked through Ireland, both north and south, I envisioned an ancient root that started its growth with the powerful ministry of Saint Patrick, now lying much dormant under a harden surface (I walked a lot on hard roads in Ireland...), breaking through with new living sprouts. May God give this awakening, this breakthrough, this fresh spiritual vitality. It was a special moment for me in Glendalough.

Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me to capture an impression with a photo or clip. I left it at the hostel to charge the battery. I did though take this photo at a pub where I had lunch today. It shows the iconic logo of St. Kevin. Renowned for his asceticism and deep connection with nature, many legends surround his life. The most famous tale is that he prayed with his arms outstretched for so long that a blackbird built a nest in his hand, laid her eggs, and raised her chicks before he moved. He is often depicted in art alongside a blackbird, symbolizing his harmony with God's creations. This image is reflected in this logo for Glendalough.

Also at this pub I ate my lunch while Sandy and Giovanni were waiting for a taxi. We shared a room last night at the hostel and walked the same path this morning to Glenmalure. Sandy is an ordained Methodist minister who through an incurable illness lost his ability to speak. He now researches, walks and promotes pilgrim paths. He has authored a number of books on the subject. This is now his ministry. Indeed, many people who have lived their lives without God, often sense that God is there on the pilgrim path. There is something about walking in God's garden that helps us to hear his voice. If you want to take a look, here is his webpage: www.sandybrownbooks.com

Photo 2: The rest of the day I would only see a few people coming from the other way. There would be no other place to stop for food or water until late the following day. I knew this day wad coming... and the next.

Photo 3: So I filled my water bottles at the pub and hoped to make to a river at the end of the day.

Photo 4: Originally I wanted to stay the night at the Mucklagh Hut, a weather shelter that collects rain water from the roof for those who might seek refuge there. It had not rained, though, since I arrived in Belfast 12 days ago... not much water in the canaster. I knew two other people I met on the path were behind me and were also wanting to spend the night in the hut...

Photo 5: I decided then to go an extra 4 km down the mountain to the river. There I found a wonderful place to set up my tent and had access to the river. I slept great with the water babbling through the night.