Journal · Location Guide
Glendalough — why I keep coming back
Co. Wicklow · Ancient woodland, still water, golden light
The Location
There is nowhere quite like Glendalough for photographs.
Tucked into the Wicklow Mountains an hour south of Dublin, Glendalough is one of those places that does the work for you. Pine-covered slopes rise either side of two glacial lakes, and the light — particularly in the late afternoon — filters through the canopy in a way that makes almost every frame feel deliberate.
I have photographed maternity sessions, love stories and couples here across all seasons, and the valley never repeats itself. Spring brings pale green and soft mist. Summer gives long golden evenings by the Upper Lake. Autumn is something else entirely — ochre and amber and a low sun that barely clears the ridge. Even winter has a stillness that suits quiet, intimate portraits.
Below are a few of my favourite sessions from Glendalough: four different couples, four different chapters, the same extraordinary valley.
Glendalough · Co. Wicklow
Maternity & Love Stories
Year-Round Location
What makes Glendalough special for photography
The valley offers something most Irish locations don't: variety within a small area. In under a kilometre you move from open lakeside light to deep pine forest to ancient monastic ruins, each with its own quality of shadow and warmth. Clients who are nervous about being photographed tend to relax here quickly — the surroundings give the eye something to rest on, which takes the pressure off the people in front of the lens.
The best light arrives in the two hours before sunset, when it runs horizontal through the trees from the west. The pine wood above the Upper Lake is particularly extraordinary at this hour — shafts of gold against dark bark, couples half-lit in the softness of it. I always plan sessions to end at the lakeside with whatever remains of the evening sky.
Getting there is straightforward from Dublin — the R115 through the mountains, or the more scenic Military Road. I recommend arriving at the upper car park to start in the forest and work down toward the lakes as the light softens. The valley is popular with day visitors but the pine paths above the lakes are quieter, and early evening sees most of the crowds gone.
Planning a Glendalough session
For maternity and couples sessions, I recommend arriving two hours before sunset — this gives us time to work through the pine forest on the upper path while the light is still warm, then move down to the lakeside as it softens toward golden hour. Sessions typically run 90 minutes to two hours.
The valley is at its quietest on weekday evenings, which is when I prefer to shoot. Summer weekends draw large crowds to the main car parks, but the upper forest trails remain relatively peaceful. Autumn (late September through November) is my personal favourite season here — the light sits lower and longer, and the valley takes on a warmth that summer can't quite match.
Glendalough is also an excellent choice for those who live in Dublin or further afield — it sits about an hour from the city centre via the N11, and clients consistently tell me the drive down through the mountains feels like part of the day. If you're planning a maternity session, engagement shoot, or portrait session in Wicklow, I'd love to hear about it.
