St Kevins Church and Round Tower

Glendalough, from the Irish “Gleann da locha", meaning the Glen of two Lakes.  St. Kevin's Church is unusual in that it has a round tower or belfry with a conical cap integrated with the church. Due to its small size, or because the tower resembles a chimney, it is frequently called "St. Kevin's kitchen." The tower is three stories high.  Some sources suggest that it was part of the original structure,  others claim it originally had a nave only with an entrance at the west end. The upper part of the gable window can be seen above what became the chancel arch, when the chancel (now missing) and the sacristy were added later. The steep roof has corbelled stones, similar to that at St.Doolagh’s Church in Dublin and St. Columb’s House in Kells. It is supported internally by a semi-circular vault. The church had a wooden upper floor and  access to the roof chamber was through an opening at the western end of the vault.