The Glendalough (Ireland) Project
Glendalough (Ireland) Heritage Assessment and Strategic Advice
Client: The Irish Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
The project
Glendalough is nestled within a narrow valley in County Wicklow, the Republic of Ireland. It has been a sacred place to Irish Christians since at least the 6th century when tradition has it that St. Kevin founded a centre of religious observation and learning there. Today, the location is characterised by archaeological sites, 1000 year old ruins and buildings, and holy places of great antiquity and reverence.
Extent Heritage, and its Irish collaborators Research + Dig, were engaged by the Republic of Ireland to identify and assess the heritage attributes that combine to make Glendalough a heritage place. The aim was to assess Glendalough’s archaeological, architectural, historical and spiritual dimensions, to establish an appropriate heritage boundary, and to inform future heritage management processes, including future heritage listings.
Value Unlocked
Glendalough is an iconic site in Ireland, loved by tourists and locals alike. Our inputs have assisted the Republic to decide on the best ways of conserving the site into the future, having regard to increasing tourism and development pressures. This might include changes to local planning processes or heritage listing, including consideration of a nomination of Glendalough to the World Heritage List. Extent Heritage and Research + Dig identified those parts of Glendalough that embody a range of heritage values, including a fabric assessment to establish the levels of ‘authenticity’ of the extant medieval buildings. We identified significant views and vistas, as well as the site’s archaeological and spiritual dimensions, to establish a credible and practical heritage boundary for the site.