Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise viewed from the River Shannon

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

Foundation

Clonmacnoise was founded in 545 by Saint Ciaran at the point where the major east-west land route through the bogs of central Ireland along the moraines left by the receding glaciers of the last ice age crossed the River Shannon. Saint Ciaran had been educated by Saint Diarmuid of Clonard and Saint Finian.

Shortly after his arrival, Ciaran met Prince Diarmuid who helped him build the first church - a small wooden structure and the first of many small churches to be clustered on the site. Diarmuid was to be crowned the first Christian High King of Ireland.

Ciaran died about one year later of the yellow plague; he was in his early thirties.

Buildings and High Crosses

Plan of the buildings

Plan of the buildings

1. Temple Finghin. Romanesque church with round tower. 12th century
2. Temple Connor. Church used by the Church of Ireland since the 18th century.
3. Rourke Tower. Built 1124 by Turlough O'Connor, Ciaran's successor.
4. North Cross. Oldest of the four crosses. Created around 800.
5. Temple Kelly.
6. Temple Ciaran. At 2.8 by 3.8 metres, the smallest church in Clonmacnoise. Believed to contain the grave of the founder Cieran.
7. Bible Cross. This 4-metre high sandstone cross is one of the most skillfully executed of the surviving high crosses in Ireland.
8. Cathedral. Built in 909 by Flan Sianna, King of Tara and Colmán.
9. Temple Melaghlin. Built around 1900
10. Museum Buildings
11. South Cross.
12. Temple Downling. Built in the 11th century. Named after Edmund Dowling, who renovated it in 1689.
13. Temple Hurpan. Built in the 17th century.
14. Entrance