Clonmacnoise

The ruins of the monastery at Clonmacnoise lie in the valley of the Shannon, south of Athlone in central Ireland. Founded in the 6th century by St Ciarán, it was a centre of learning as well as theology, and the burial site of several local high kings.

Monastic site in County Offaly, Republic of Ireland, 6 km/4 mi north of Shannonbridge. It is one of the most historically important monastic sites in Ireland. St Ciaran founded the monastic city, which flourished from 548 until its destruction by the English garrison of Athlone in 1552. The remains of the site are in excellent condition, and are the focus of an annual pilgrimage on 9 September (the feast of St Ciaran).

The extensive ruins at Clonmacnoise consist of eight churches, one of which, the Ciaran Temple, dates from the 9th century; a cathedral built in 904; two round towers; five high crosses (notably the Cross of the Scriptures); over 200 slabs from graves, some highly decorated, dating from the 6th to the 11th centuries; and the remains of a fortified tower constructed in 1214. The Crosier of Clonmacnoise is now in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.