Clonmacnoise

Ireland has a rich culture that, along with its people, has been exported around the world. Ireland, in fact, has two cultures: the historical Gaelic culture and the more recent English-speaking culture which largely replaced it. It can be worth digging a bit deeper, to learn about the older world that lies beneath. It is a world still living, though not always visible. Some Irish history has been very dark indeed, but it remains a land of poets, story-tellers, and musicians, with marvellous scenery, an advanced knowledge economy, first-rate infrastructures, and leading industries, with a high gross domestic product and standard of living. There are the megalithic tombs of Brú na Bóinne, older than the Egyptian pyramids, used as inspiration for some famous Celtic symbols that came later.

Ireland

Offaly

The monastery of Clonmacnoise 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. Until the 9th century it had close associations with the kings of Connacht. 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. The graveyard surrounding the site continues to be in use and religious services are held regularly on the site in a modern chapel.

The monastery of Clonmacnoise

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