Once one of the most important places of learning in Europe

The monastery of Clonmacnoise was founded by St Ciarán in 546 AD. Ciaran was a young preacher who convinced the local king to help him build a church here. Ciarán, however, died the following year at the age of 33 (the same age as Jesus died) of yellow fever and was reportedly buried under this first church. By the 9th century, the monastery attracted pilgrims, craftsmen, and scholars from all over Europe. Some of Ireland’s most beautiful metal and stone artworks were created here including The Clonmacnoise Crozier and The Cross of the Scriptures. Its population once reached 2000 and became the leading place to be buried for the High Kings. It was attacked at least 27 times by Vikings, Normans, and Gaels, and after 1200 it went into a period of slow decline when other continental religious orders entered Ireland. There is a wealth of monuments on site which include Temple Ciaran, Temple Connor, Temple Kelly, and the Cathedral where Rory O’Connor, the last High King of Ireland is buried.