“What is this life if full of care,
I have no time to stand and stare,
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows”.

These are the words of the poet, J. Kilmer, which come to mind, as I journey to the beautiful valley of Glendalough.

I am Joan O’Carroll, who entered the Sisters of Mercy, after completing my Secondary School education in Birr, Co. Offaly. I worked for 36 years in Primary Education, both as Principal and a Special Needs teacher. For my Sabbatical, I went to Gonzaga University, Spokane in America, where I had the opportunity to study Human Development Scripture/Spiritual Studies and Art Therapy.

While on Retreat in Glendalough Hermitage Centre in 2012, I was very touched by the serenity and peacefulness of the place.

“Surely God was in this place and I never knew..” Gen. 28:16

In 2013, I was invited to join the Team, so I left the Golden Vale of Tipperary and journeyed to the beautiful valley of Glendalough, in Wicklow.

“Come away O human child to the waters and the wild….the world’s more full of beauty than we can understand..” W. B.Yeats.

It is my privilege to be here and serve all who come to Glendalough Hermitage Centre, as pilgrim or other.