A meditation garden lies in the grounds of the parish church adjacent to the Hermitage Centre. Inspired by the great monastic tradition of the past, it has been designed to provide an open air, secluded, contemplative space. The ever-changing beauty of nature provides us with one of the most powerful doorways to prayer and spirituality. The meditation garden is a place where the wisdom of nature, scripture and the spiritual heritage of Glendalough are combined in harmony.
The theme of the garden is journey. It provides the pilgrim with four separate paths, inviting one on an outward journey but also to an individual, inner journey:
- The Journey of Life
- The Journey to our inner selves/the Inner Self
- The Journey through times of deep emotion
- The Journey of Decision
The garden contains an artistic recreation of the main elements of St. Kevin’s life story including a representation of his cell and the story of the blackbird.
It also provides an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and pray with him his seven last words.
Bringing the journey of life to the present, there is a sculpture representing the destruction of the twin towers on 9/11/2001. This monument marks the tragedy and challenge to peace posed by this event and is located in the context of a path reflecting on the defining choices we make on our journey today.
The garden was designed by David Shortall and the sculptures were designed and directed by Br. Joseph McNally.
“Going on pilgrimage without a change of heart brings little reward from God. For it is by practising virtue and not by mere motion of the feet that we are brought to heaven.” (Book of Lismore)
