Monastery of Clonmacnoise

The monastery of Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis in Irish, meaning "Meadow of the Sons of Nós", is situated in County Offaly, Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone.

 

Clonmacnoise was founded in 544 by St. Ciarán, a young man from Rathcroghan, County Roscommon. (Not to be confused or conflated with St. Ciarán of Saigir, patron of Osraige). Until the 9th century it had close associations with the kings of Connacht. The strategic location of the monastery helped it become a major centre of religion, learning, craftsmanship, and trade by the 9th century and together with Clonard it was the most famous in Ireland, visited by scholars from all over Europe. From the ninth until the eleventh century it was allied with the kings of Meath. Many of the high kings of Tara (ardrí) and Connacht were buried here.

 

The preserved ruin is managed by the Office of Public Works. An Interpretive Centre is open to the public, the graveyard is in use and religious services are held in a modern chapel. [wikipedia]

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Uploaded on March 3, 2019
Taken on August 24, 2018