St. Kevin's Monastery - 6th-Century Ireland

St. Kevin (ca. 498–618) is one of Ireland's most popular saints.  In the 6th century, he founded a monastic settlement in Glendalough (County Wicklow).  Thousands of years later, we can still view much of it.

Dr. Deborah Vess, Professor of History and Interdisciplinary Studies at Georgia College & State University, provides more background on life at this type of St. Patrick-inspired, Irish monastery:

The monastery at Glendalough was enclosed within a circular wall. Unlike Benedictine monasteries, Celtic monasteries embraced entire families; men, women, their children and animals lived in the outer walls, while the celibates lived within the inner walls. In these worlds within the walls, they prayed and worked together in unity with all creation.

Click on the image for a closer view.