Clonmacnoise was founded by St Ciaran in about AD 545 He is reputed to have come down the Shannon from his hermit's cell on Hare Island to establish this monastic settlement where the east- west route, the Eiscir Riada, along the esker ridges of central Ireland, met the north south route of the Shannon Although St Ciaran died seven months later Clonmacnois grew into a great monastic city famed throughout Europe

It was subjected to Viking attacks at the end of the eighth and early ninth centuries and again in the tenth century It was not just the Vikings who attacked, sometimes it was Irish Kings who coveted the wealth of the monastery From the twelfth century it began to decline in importance and, finally, in 1552, the place was sacked and looted by English soldiers from Athlone. By the end of the sixteenth century the churches were in ruins. It continued to be used as a burial ground and became of interest to antiquarians

The following are the chief items of interest:

1. The South Cross dates from the ninth century and has a representation of the Crucifixion on the shaft.

2. Temple Doolin, originally called Temple Hurpain, was built probably some time after 800 The building was restored as a family chantry in 1689 by Edmund Dowling, who inserted a new door.

3. Temple Hurpain, probably added at the same time by Dowling, takes its name from the older church and has also been called MacLaffey's church.

4. Temple Ri, the king s church, or Temple Melaghlin, is late twelfth century Notable features are the Western Transitional east window with plain moulding, an early Gothic lancet window, a late Goth c doorway and indications of a timber gallery over the west half of the building.

5. Temple Ciaran is traditionally the burial place of the founding saint. The remains of three antae (corner projections) indicate that it could date from about 800 but the building has been altered from time to time St Ciaran's grave is said to be at _ the end farthest from the entrance.

6. Temple Kelly is thought to have been erected in t 167 by Conor Kelly on the site of an earlier hospital.

7. The North Cross is a much weathered cross of the ninth century.

8. The Cathedral was originally erected In 904 but Little of this early building has survived subsequent rebuilding in the eleventh, fourteenth. and fifteenth centuries The figures over the fine fifteenth century doorway are, from left to right, St Dominic, St Patrick and St Francis.

9. The Cross of the Scriptures was erected in the ninth or tenth century and is one of the most graceful and best-pre- served of the Irish high crosses.

10. O'Rourke's Tower is ascribed to Fergal O'Rourke, King of Connacht, who died n 964, but the upper part was not finished until 1124.

11. Temple Conor was built in 1010 by Cathal O'Conor and was restored in the eighteenth century to serve as a C of I church. The west door and the smallest of the south windows are original. On the north side are tombs of the Malone family

12. Temple Finian ia a nave and chancel church of the twelfth century with an interesting small belfry tower attached. It is sometimes ca led MacCarthy's Church because members of that family were buried here.

13. Commemorative slabs Some of the finest of the cross-decorated slabs, for which Clonmacnois is renowned are displayed n the ticket and tourist office by the car park

The Nun's Church was originally built in the tenth century and was restored in 1166 by Dervorgilla, whose association with Dermot MacMurrough led to the coming of the Normans The west doorway and Chancel arch are beautiful examples of Irish Romanesque architecture and were restored in 1865. The path leading to the Nun's Church s the start of the Pilgrim's Road, the old route along the ridge of the esker. The crosses erected halfway along the path marked the graves of three thieves who many years earlier were refused bur a in the consecrated ground of the graveyard. St Finian's well s about 180 m to the north-west of Temple Finian and St Ciaran's well is about 500 m south-west of the Norman castle, to the right of the Shannonbridge road The castle, known as King John's Castle, was erected in 1214 by the English Justicar, John de Gray. The ruins are of the gatehouse, courtyard and keep which were ripped apart by an explosion many years ago.

Opening Times for 2002
Mid Mar - May 1000 to 1800
June - Early Sept 0900 to 1900
Sept - Oct 1000 to 1800
Nov - Mid March 1000 to 1700

Charges
Adult EUR 4.40
Children & Students EUR1.90
Families EUR10.10
Seniors & Groups EUR3.10