Geograph - photograph every grid square

Clonmacnoise Monastic Site is one of the most famous in Ireland. The site name is from the Irish: Cluain Mhic Nóis.

The site was founded in the mid 6th century by St. Ciarán, The Annals of the Four Masters record in 548; "St. Ciaran, son of the artificer, Abbot of Cluain Mic Nois, died on the ninth day of September. Thirty three years was the length of his life." (O'Donovan, 2002, M548.2). From the 6th to 9th centuries the monastic settlement is reported to have had close links with the Kings of Connacht before allying with the Kings of Meath in later Medieval times.

Clonmacnoise's greatest expansion was in the 8th and 12th centuries when it was one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. It was attacked frequently during these four centuries by the native Irish, the Vikings and finally the Normans. The site constitutes a selection of buildings - churches and towers (as well as crosses - although one is a replica) from the 9th - 17th centuries.