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CLONMACNOIS
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HIGH CROSS | SOUTH CROSS | |
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NORTH CROSS | TEMPLE FINIAN | |
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Clonmacnois, one of the most celebrated of Ireland’s holy
places, is beside the River Shannon, 4 miles (6
km) north of Shannonbridge. St Ciaran founded a monastery here in 548 A.D. which became
the most famous of all the monastic cities of Ireland. It flourished under the patronage
of many kings; the last High King, Rory O’Conor, was buried here in 1198. |
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the centuries however, Clonmacnois was the object of many plundering raids by native
chiefs and by the Danes and the Anglo-Normans. In 1552 the settlement was despoiled by the
English garrison of Athalone, who carried off even the glass in the windows.The site at
Clonmacnois contains a cathedral, eight church ruins, two round towers, three sculptured
high crosses and part of two others, over 200 monumental slabs and the remains of a
castle. |