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Clonmacnoie
Cluain Mhic Nóis
Clonmacnoise 6.jpg
Cross of the Scriptures, Cathedral, Temple Doolin and South Cross
Clonmacnoise is located in Ireland
Clonmacnoise
Location in Ireland
Monastery information
Other names Cluain-maccu-nois; Cluain-mic-nois; Cluan; Tipraic, with Eaglais-beaag
Order Canons Regular of Saint Augustine (1140–c.1144)
Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian (1144–1568)
Established AD 544
Disestablished 1568
Mother house Clonard Abbey (mother house of nunnery only)
Diocese Diocese of Clonmacnoise
People
Founder(s) St. Ciarán
Architecture
Style Celtic monastic
Site
Location near Athlone, County Offaly, Ireland
Coordinates 53°19′26″N 7°59′28″W / 53.32389°N 7.99111°W / 53.32389; -7.99111
Visible remains cathedral, seven churches, two round towers, three high crosses, grave slabs
Public access yes
Website http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlands-eastcoast/clonmacnoise/
National Monument of Ireland
Official name Clonmacnoise Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site
Reference no. 81, 250, 601

The monastery of Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis in Irish, meaning "Meadow of the Sons of Nós", is situated in County Offaly, Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone.

Clonmacnoise was founded in 544 by St. Ciarán, a young man from Rathcroghan, County Roscommon. (Not to be confused or conflated with St. Ciarán of Saigir, patron of Osraige). Until the 9th century it had close associations with the kings of Connacht. Saint Ciarán choose to found the monastery in the ancient territory of Ui Maine at a point where the major East-West land route(Slighe Mhor) meets the River Shannon after crossing the bogs of Central Ireland known as the Esker Riada. The strategic location of the monastery helped it become a major centre of religion, learning, craftsmanship, and trade by the 9th century and together with Clonard it was the most famous in Ireland, visited by scholars from all over Europe. From the ninth until the eleventh century it was allied with the kings of Meath. Many of the high kings of Tara (ardrí) and Connacht were buried here.

The preserved ruin is managed by the Office of Public Works. An Interpretive Centre is open to the public, the graveyard is in use and religious services are held in a modern chapel.

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Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Clonmacnoise para niños

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