Day 2: Glendalough, Avoca.

Day 2 started and we were off for more adventures. This is just one example of some of the roads we ended up on. No room was ever wasted. :)

Our first stop was at St. Kevin's church at Glendalough. St. Kevin came to Glendalough in the 6th century. As a monk, His monastery became the parent to many more monasteries in Ireland. He was known for His extremely devout nature, and His solitude. We had the honor of meeting the priest and a precious sister at the church. It was a rich experience and it was very much a set up from God.  I loved listening to the Father talk, He was a wealth of knowledge who was deeply concerned about the people of Ireland. It would be fun to return there someday!

Next we had the honor of going to see the monastic sight of Glendalough. It has been one of the most visited places in Ireland for 1400 years, starting with the arrival of St. Kevin and then later with St. Lawrence O Toole who was known for his hospitality and His sanctity for people during the many invasions that Ireland has endured. 

At one time there were 7 churches at this small site. People would flock here on a pilgrimage to meet with God. And though most of the site was destroyed by the English in 1398, what remains is beautiful to say the least. While here, I had to wonder, 'if the presence is so strong here now, what was it like when it was a fully-functioning site?'

This, in it's time, was the largest church in Ireland. There was something about walking into this place that made me want to worship God. His presence, even after this place has laid in ruin for so long, lingers here. It's strong on the whole site of Glendalough, but here in the church I could feel it the most. I wanted to pull up a chair and stay a long while.

This was the tower that would ring the call for times of prayer. Also it was used to store food and valuable things. The door is so high because in times of invasion they would hide people in the tower then pull the ladder up so that no invaders could get in. Here, and at another site we went to we noticed that the towers were the only things with no damage to them. The call for intercession and prayer still rings out all over the land.

Glendalough was what we call a thin-place. A place where you could feel heaven's presence just being there. We had fun soaking it in, and also partnering with what we felt God was speaking to us about Ireland there. Many prayers were said for the glory that we felt there to spread all over Ireland, outside the church and into every realm of society.

Behind the celtic cross you can see a hill on the right. This was my favorite hill. Like never before, I was sure there were a whole lot of angels there.

While in Ireland we did a lot of praying at different waters. We prayed that 'deep would call to deep' that the land would remember the times it was in revival in the past and that God would help it happen again. This was a place that I had read about in a brochure the night before but we had no idea where it was, or how to get there. And what do you know? We just 'happened' to drive right past it. It is a place called the 'meeting of the 2 waters' and it's literally 2 rivers merging into one. It was beautiful.

Next we got to go have a bit of fun in a wee little town called Avoca which is better known as the filming sight of BBC's Ballykissangel, a precious show that the VanWinkle's have gotten me attached too a bit. If you ever want to learn a bit more about the culture of Ireland, I recommend it. (uncle Gary.)

Here Jim and Brenda are acting out a scene from Ballykiss.

Next we stopped to have fish and chips at Fitzgeralds. How much more irish can you get?

It was just a little delicious. :)

We drove and found a random B&B in the middle of the country with one of the most precious owners. We all felt extremely blessed as we settled in for the evening. And as if the full day wasn't enough, God gave us this before we went to bed.