Clonmacnoise viewed from the River The monastary of Clonmacnoise (Gaelic : Cluain Mhic Nóis Meadows of the Sons of Nós) is situated in County Offaly, Ireland at the River Shannon south of Athlone
The Founding
Cluain Mhic Nóis was founded in 545 by St. Ciaran on the mayor crossroad of North/South river travel on the River Shannon and East/West road travel on the moraenas left in the bogs of central Ireland by the receding glaciers of the last ice age. Saint Ciaran was educated by St. Diarmuid of Clonard and St. Finian.
Shortly after his arrival, Ciaran met Prince Diarmuid who helped him to 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 plage, in his early thirties.
Buildings and High Crosses
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Map of Buildings
- Temple Finghin. Romanic Church with round tower. 12th Century
- Temple Connor. Church used by the Church of Ireland since the 18th century.
- Rourke Tower. Built 1124 by Turlough O'Connor, the successor of of Ciaran.
- North Cross. Oldest of the four crosses. Created around 800.
- Temple Kelly.
- Temple Ciaran. With 2.8 meters x 3.8 meters the smallest church in Clonmacnoise. Believed to be the grave of the founder Cieran
- Bible Cross. The 4 meters high sandstone cross is one of the most artfull high crosses still in existance in Ireland.
- Cathedral. Built in 909 by Flan Sianna, King of Tara and Colmán.
- Temple Melaghlin. Built around 1900
- Museum Buildings
- South Cross.
- Temple Downling. Built in the 11th century. Named after Edmund Dowling, who renovated it in 1689.
- Temple Hurpan. Built in the 17th century.
- Entrance
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