Clonmacnoise Monastic Site, County Offaly.

Clonmacnoise on the banks of the majestic River Shannon is home to one of Ireland’s greatest monasteries, founded by St Ciaran shortly before his death in 549.
It takes its name from the Irish Cluain mhic Nois, meadow of the sons of Nos, a name that is perhaps much older than the monastery that would become renowned as one of the great centres of learning, trade and craftsmanship throughout the early medieval period.
The riverside location proved to be very important for St Ciaran’s monastery. The Shannon effectively served as a north/south motorway during the early medieval period. It is also believed that one of the primary overland routes from west to east converged here at the River Shannon, meaning that Clonmacnoise was at one of the most important and busiest crossroads in Ireland during this period.
It was also here that the boundaries of the two great provincial kingdoms of Connaught in the west and Meath to the east met at the Shannon, and over the coming centuries, Clonmacnoise received royal attention from both sides of the river.
One of the early kings who became closely associated with Clonmacnoise was Flann Sinna mac Maelsechnaill, who was king of Meath and high king of Ireland from 879 to 916. Known as the Cathedral, the largest church at Clonmacnoise preserves large parts of a stone church that was built here in 909 by Abbot Colman with the help of King Flann.
Around this time the two men also came together to commission one of the finest sculptures from early medieval Ireland. Known as the Cross of the Scriptures, this monumental cross was placed to the west of the cathedral. This cross is adorned with figurative carvings depicting various aspects of the crucifixion of Christ.
The sandstone cross has suffered badly from the effects of weathering and erosion, and some years ago a decision was made to move the original cross into a purpose-built visitor centre nearby. The cross now standing in the graveyard is a convincing copy.
A second high cross at Clonmacnoise has also been moved into the visitor centre and replaced by a replica in the graveyard. Known as the South Cross, it is slightly earlier than the Cross of the Scriptures, and is believed to have been commissioned by Flann Sinna’s father, who was high king of Ireland from 846 to 862.
Near the Cathedral is a tiny church known as Temple Ciaran and is believed to have been built on the grave of St Ciaran himself. Over the centuries the building has begun to sink as a result of pilgrims removing soil from within chapel for its alleged curative properties.
During the 12th century, Clonmacnoise was closely associated with the O’Conor kings of Connaught. In 1115, the same year as the death of his wife Orlaith, Turlough O’Conor fasted at Clonmacnoise, and presented gifts of a silver goblet and a drinking horn decorated with gold. After his death in 1156, Turlough was buried beside the altar of St Ciarán within the cathedral.
In 1124, Turlough had assisted in the construction of the round tower that still there stands today. Originally this must have been one of the tallest towers ever seen in Ireland. However, eleven years after it was built, the tower was struck by lightning and the top third collapsed to the ground.
The finely carved ashlar masonry from this fallen section of the tower did not go to waste. Some years later, they were recycled to build another tower, attached to the small Romanesque church known as St Finghin’s.
Situated a short distance to the east of the main monastery is the Nun’s Church. It was completed in 1167 with the help of Derbforgaill, daughter of Murchad Ua Máel Sechnaill, king of Meath and wife of Tiernan O’Rourke, king of Breifne. The church was a founded for the Arrouasian nuns and was a daughter house of St Mary’s convent at Clonard. St Ciaran, who founded Clonmacnoise had previously received his tutelage at Clonard under St Finian.
The main features are the doorway at the west end, and the chancel arch that separates the small chancel from the nave. These are amongst the most accomplished carvings of the period and represent an Irish interpretation of the Romanesque art form that dominated Europe during this period.
Back at the main monastery is Temple Melaghlin with its twin, late Romanesque east window. This was probably built at the beginning of the 13th century when the Melaghlin’s were still overlords of the region, shortly before the Anglo-Normans arrived and built their large castle near the monastery around 1214.
In time, the area around Clonmacnoise reverted to the local Gaelic families, who continued to support St Ciaran’s ancient monastery. The best example of this is a doorway that was added around the middle of the 15th century to the north side of the old cathedral. Above beautifully carved gothic doorway are the figures of St Dominic, St Patrick and St Francis.

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Well done you. Lovely description and commentary