Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis)

A great early monastery on the banks of the Shannon, once a renowned centre of learning.

Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis) stands on the banks of the River Shannon in County Offaly. Founded by St Ciarán in the 6th century, it became one of the most important monasteries in early medieval Europe, famed for its scholarship, craftsmanship and manuscripts.

Today its ruins (churches, round towers and superb high crosses) are among the finest early Christian remains in Ireland.

At a glance

• An early monastery on the River Shannon, founded by St Ciarán.
• A renowned centre of learning and craftsmanship.
• Home to fine round towers and high crosses.

In County Offaly

Clonmacnoise is in County Offaly, Uíbh Fhailí in Irish, which means “descendants of Failge”.

More in Offaly

• Birr Castle (Caisleán Bhiorra): A demesne of science and gardens, home to a giant 19th-century telescope.

Other places of this kind

• The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair): Sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region.
• Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú): A prehistoric monument in County Meath, older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids.
• The Giant's Causeway (Clochán an Aifir): Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the Antrim coast, a UNESCO site wrapped in the legend of Finn McCool.
• Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch): A beautiful glacial valley of two lakes, home to one of Ireland's most important early monastic settlements.
• The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig): A dramatic outcrop crowned with medieval buildings, once the seat of the kings of Munster.
• The Hill of Tara (Teamhair na Rí): The ancient inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland, rich in myth and archaeology.

The Irish name

The Irish form of Clonmacnoise is Cluain Mhic Nóis. You can hear it spoken, and take apart names like it, in the Placename Explorer. The authoritative record for any Irish place-name is logainm.ie.