Clonmacnoise

Along the Shannon River in the western part of County Offaly sits a monastic site known as Clonmacnoise.  This abbey was founded in 548 AD by Saint Ciaran.  It is famous for two reasons: 1) Having two of the best preserved Celtic High Crosses in Ireland and 2) Being the location where some the oldest texts in Ireland were written.

The Celtic High Crosses have been moved indoors to better preserve them and replicas have been staged on the grounds.  Even so, it was an impressive place to visit.  On the left is a picture of the cross of the scriptures (in it's new protected location).  On the right, you'll see a picture of the replica in with the replica South Cross in the back ground


One of the manuscripts written at Clonmacnoise, The Book of the Dun Cow (oldest text written in Irish - circa 11th or 12th century), is now housed at the Royal Academy of Ireland.  The book was named so because of the belief that it was written on the hide of St. Ciaran's fabled Dun Cow.

The site - in addition to being the final resting place of St. Ciaran - is also thought to be the final resting place of many of the Kings of Ireland, specifically of the Kings of Connacht and the High Kings of Tara are buried here.  It's location which is the crossroads of the main thoroughfares of 6th century Ireland (the Shannon River running North to South and the East-West road running along glacial eskers from Dublin).

It's religious significance was recognized by Pope John Paul II in 1979.  It is believed that missionaries from Clonmacnoise brought Christianity to his home country of Poland.