Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise is located along the River Shannon in County Offaly and is one of Ireland’s most famous monastic sites.
It was founded by Saint Ciarán in the 6th century. Its strategic location at a crossroads between the major east-west land route through the bogs of central Ireland and the River Shannon, led to it becoming a major centre of religion, learning and trade with scholars visiting from all over the world.
By the 9th century, it was Ireland’s most famous monastery and it eventually became the burial site for the High King of Tara.
Today the site is a preserved ruin managed by the Office of Public Works. Visitors can see three high crosses, a cathedral, seven churches and two round towers.
There is a visitors centre providing an audio visual presentation o the long and varied history of Clonmacnoise along with exhibitions on the flora, fauna and landscape of the area.
Visitors to Clonmacnoise are sure to leave with a true sense of the history of Ireland.