Clonmacnoise Monastic Site, Co. Offaly
There’s no better way to delve into Ireland’s rich heritage than to explore the spectacular monastic settlement at Clonmacnoise in Co. Offaly. Travel back in time almost 1,500 years and get a special sense of the wonderful traditions cultivated by this remarkable community founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th century. This is one of Ireland's most impoartant visitor attractions and eccelestical sites, accsessible by road and water, via hire cruiser on the River Shannon. Pope John Paul II visited Clonmacnoise in 1979.
You will be amazed at the extent of the relics of this ancient past, including a cathedral, churches, round tower, early Christian grave slabs and, of course, the High Crosses for which Clonmacnoise is famous.
The monastic site is just 6.5km (4ml) south of Shannonbridge. Here you will get a real sense of the ‘Island of Saints and Scholars’.
Many manuscripts, including the Annals of Tighernach (11th century) and the Book of the Dun Cow (12th century), were written here. The site is entered through the visitor centre, where a number of cross-slabs are displayed. The centre piece of the new Interpretative Centre is the 9th-century Cross of the Scriptures.
Address: Shannonbridge, County Offaly, Republic of Ireland
Telephone: +353 (0)90 9674195
Fax: +353 (0)90 9674273
Web: www.heritageireland.ie/en/HistoricSites/East/ClonmacnoiseOffaly/
