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Models in  Clonmacnoise

The monastery is on the east side of the River Shannon, in what was then the Kingdom of Meath, but occupying a position so central it was the burial-place of many of the kings of Connaught as well as those of Tara.  Ciaran was educated by St. Diarmuid of Clonard and St. Finian - tutor of  the ancient Saints of Ireland. His last place of formal learning before establishing his own monastery in Clonmacnoise was with St. Enda on the island of Inís Mór off the coast of Galway. Here, under the tutelage of the strict disciplinarian Enda, he learned Sacred Studies, Prayer and labour.

Ciaran did not live to see his monastery grow and flourish.....he died of yellow plague just 4 years after settling and was only 33 years old.  The monastery attracted many of the scholars of Ireland and from across Europe and it was to become the most illustrious school in Europe....... the precursor to universities perhaps? It was a Scriptorium from the 8th.-10th. centuries and many scribes toiled long and arduous hours learning the skills which were to become world renowned in works such as the Books of Kells and Durrow. Metal workers in gold, silver and bronze produced some of the world's finest celtic craftwork, not surpassed since the 11th. century.  No single large church exists, or ever existed, at Clonmacnoise. Rather, there were a number of small churches of simple plan and wooden construction.

The Whispering Arch (For centuries courting couples have stood each side of the arch whispering their words of love to each other)

There is no evidence left of the monks' living quarters. It is presumed the whole complex was enclosed by a rampart of earth or stone. Standing on the site now is a cluster of ruined churches within the graveyard that were built from the 12th century onwards.

The monastic settlement has seen many violent and destructive periods in its history and was destroyed by fire at least 13 times. It was attacked approximately 40 times from the 8th. to the 12th. century.....8 times by the Vikings; 6 times by the Anglo Normans and 26 times by the Irish. Each time the Monks rebuilt.  In 1552 it was finally reduced to ruin by the English garrison in Athlone and from that time onwards there were no monasteries in Ireland for almost 300 hundred years. Clonmacnoise lay in decay until the Office of Public Works began the arduous task of turning this place into one of Ireland's most famous visitors' centres.

Remains of The Cathedral with early 10th. Century stone incorporated in the building.

The North and South Crosses are made from quartzose sandstone found at the foot of the Bernagh mountains near Lough Derg. The stone used in this craftwork was transported by boat up the lough and the river Shannon to the site. 

The South Cross

Both crosses and some of the other invaluable stonework are now housed in a beautifully constructed heritage centre designed to resemble crannogs.  Crannogs were the living quarters in ancient celtic settlements and were circular in construction.  The preservation work is currently being carried on by Duchas - the National Heritage Service and Clonmacnoise would rank as one of Ireland's most spectacular and valuable heritage sites.

The North Cross

Clonmacnoise is located about 12 miles from both Athlone town and Ballinasloe in County Galway. The nearest village is Shannonbridge but it is not an easy place to get to, especially for those who do not drive or only have access to public transport. 

Occassionally I get enquiries from people asking how to reach the Clonmacnoise Monastic Settlement. As a result I have found someone who provides daily mini-bus tours from Athlone to Clonmacnoise. For anyone interested in visiting but who has no transport you can contact:
Paddy Kavanagh in Athlone - just send him your query by email and he'll help you out.

Anyone looking for nice, central accommodation if visiting this area I'd recommend Riverdale House in Athlone.

For those who have just joined me on this page why not go to the beginning of our travels and see some of the places in The Start of Our Journey through the West of Ireland. 

My Place Amongst the Stones gives the history of my company name, Moytura - a celtic heritage going back thousands of years. 

We journey to my own parish of Lackagh - a small village just 12 miles from Galway with a mighty big history. Learn all about the Battle of Knockdoe - one of Ireland's bloodiest of conflicts in the 16th century.

We then move on to take a quick jaunt around Galway City;  and to the heart of Connemara - with its wild and wonderful beauty. 

From there we journey south into County Clare and see The Burren - a place that has lain undisturbed since the Ice-age and of immense botanical, ecological and archaeological importance.

Visit my favourite of all the early Christian Church locations - Clonfert, South County Galway, with its beautiful tiny 12th century Cathedral of Saint Brendan. Come with me around the grounds and see the Bishop's Palace and the 1000 year old Yew Walk. 

While on the Clonfert pages, you can learn a potted history of Saint Brendan the Navigator, possibly the first European to set foot in North America in the 6th. century. And join me in the celebrations when this tiny cathedral was listed in the World Monuments Watch 2000 most endangered monuments.

Come with me on my 'Famine Journey' which starts in Westport, and moves to Sligo, my Dad's County and the departure port for many of the 'Coffin Ships'. This part of my journey ends in Grosse-Île on a tiny island east of Quebec City. 

On this page you will learn some of the history of our Famine Refugees and find the final resting place of over 6,000 of my country folk who died within sight of their first freedom in over 300 years. This is where many of the Irish roots in North America started.

Our Journey moves on to other places on that visit to Canada where we see Quebec City and some of Ontario's lovely places and then to two of Canada's famous Catholic Shrines - Saint Anne de Beaupré and to Cap-de-la-Madeleine.

Finally, join me on my pilgrimage to a peaceful haven in a war-torn country in Medugorje in Bosnia-Hercegovinia. The other areas of my Web site can be found in the drop-down box below.

I have added links pages of other places related to the places we visit, links to leisure activities in Ireland i.e. golf, fishing, horse riding, sailing in Ireland, festivals, entertainment etc. and some of my friends' home pages. 

Don't forget to bookmark this page and return to take up on more of your journeys with me. Oh .. and please sign my Guestbook if you have enjoyed your travels. Go raith míle maith agat - thanks a million

Every now and then people send me stories, poems, or URLs to other Home Pages that I find very touching or uplifting, they can be found at the links below. Some will make you smile, maybe even laugh, some may make you cry or a little sad - but all will leave a little bit of a mark, if only for the few minutes you spend reading or listening to them. Enjoy - I call this section: