Q&A

What happened at Clonmacnoise?

What happened at Clonmacnoise?

Clonmacnoise was not always peaceful, over the centuries it was raided by both native Kings and later Vikings and even fought a notorious battle with the rival monastery of St Columba in Durrow. Buildings were destroyed and rebuilt many times.

What did the people in Clonmacnoise work at?

Clonmacnoise was a centre for master craftsmanship. Some monks specialised in producing beautifully illustrated manuscripts, some worked with precious metals and some as stonemasons. Carvings on the stone crosses found at Clonmacnoise were skillfully executed.

How many walls were around Clonmacnoise?

This Irish monastery wasn’t just any old monastery. It featured up to 17 churches. The walls of 10 of those are still intact. The monastic site had a 10 acre settlement area attached to it which housed not only monks, but also lay people.

What buildings were in Clonmacnoise?

The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches (10th -13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs. The site also includes original high crosses. Amongst the many remains at Clonmacnois are two complete High Crosses plus the shaft of another.

Who is buried at Clonmacnoise?

Turlough O’Connor and his son Rory, two of the last High Kings of Ireland, and who both endowed Clonmacnoise, are buried here in the Cathedral. But with wealth and success come envy and danger; the Vikings came 13 times, while the native Irish ransacked the site on 27 occasions and the Normans perpetrated 6 raids.

Why was the location chosen for the monastery in Clonmacnoise?

This location was particularly important because here the major east–west land route through the bogs of central Ireland along the Eiscir Riada (an esker left by the receding glaciers of the last ice age) crossed the River Shannon.

Why is Clonmacnoise famous?

One of the most famous monastic sites in Ireland, Clonmacnoise is located along the River Shannon, near the village of Shannonbridge, County Offaly. A walk amongst the peaceful stone ruins of this famous place will conjure images of the saints and scholars of Ireland’s renowned golden age of learning.

How many churches are in Clonmacnoise?

The ruins include a Cathedral, two round Towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and over 700 Early Christian graveslabs. The original high crosses, including the magnificent 10th century Cross of the Scriptures area on display in a purpose built visitor centre adjacent the monastic enclosure.

How many people are buried in Clonmacnoise?

The Celtic name for Clonmacnoise is “Cluain Mhic Nois” (meadow of the sons of Nos). In 548 AD, Saint Ciaran, with eight followers, began establishment of his own monastery, known as Clonmacnoise….Clonmacnoise Cemetery.

Location Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, Ireland Show Map
Memorials 979 added (97% photographed)

Do you have to pay into Clonmacnoise?

Free. All Visitors must have a ticket.

How many people live in Clonmacnoise?

Estimates of the population of Clonmacoise put the figure at 2000 people, a sizeable settlment in the eleventh century. The skill of the craftsmen working at Clonmacnoise was unsurpassed in Ireland with perhaps the pinnacle of their achievements being the Clonmacnoise Crozier and the famous High Crosses.

Why was the monastery at Clonmacnoise so important?

The monastery at Clonmacnoise became one of the most important centres of learning and religious life in Ireland. Unusually, the title of abbot – which included the title ” Comarba of Saint Ciarán” – at the community was not hereditary, which reflected the humble origins of its founder.

Who was the first abbot of Clonmacnoise?

Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise (c. 516 – c. 549), supposedly born Ciarán mac an tSaeir (“son of the carpenter”), was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and the first abbot of Clonmacnoise.

What are the ruins of Clonmacnoise in Ireland?

The ruins include a Cathedral, two round Towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and over 700 Early Christian graveslabs. The original high crosses, including the magnificent 10 th century Cross of the Scriptures area on display in a purpose built visitor centre adjacent the monastic enclosure.

Where did Saint Ciaran of Clonmacnoise live?

The Saint is believed to have lived for a time in an area that would later become known as Campbeltown at the same time as the legendary king Fergus Mór was establishing the kingdom of the Scottish Dál Riata, after invading Argyll from Ireland. A primary school in Hartstown, Dublin 15 is named after Saint Ciarán.