Clones

Agricultural market town in County Monaghan, Republic of Ireland, 19 km/10 mi southwest of Monaghan town; population (2002) 1,700. Lace is made here. In the marketplace (known as the Diamond) stands a 10th-century high cross, near to the ruins of a 12th-century abbey and round tower, and a motte-and-bailey castle, Clones Fort.

A monastery was founded at Clones by St Tighearnach, who died here in 549. Annaghmakerrig House, 8 km/5 mi to the east, was left to the state by the theatre producer Tyrone Guthrie as a centre for writers and artists (the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig). The River Finn, which flows by Clones, is used for coarse fishing.

There is a museum of lacemaking in the Diamond. The village of Aughnakillagh, 3 km/2 mi to the east, was the birthplace of James Connolly, one of the leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916.