Page 256 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

254  IRELAND REGION B Y REGION

o Clonmacnoise

This medieval monastery, in a remote spot by the
River Shannon, was founded by St Ciarán in 545–548.
Clonmacnoise lay at a crossroads of medieval routes,
linking all parts of Ireland. Known for its scholarship
and piety, it thrived from the 7th to the 12th century.
Many kings of Tara and of Connaught were buried
here. Plundered by the Vikings and Anglo-Normans,
it fell to the English in 1552. Today, a group of stone
churches (temples), a cathedral, two round towers
and three High Crosses remain.
Last Circuit of Pilgrims at Clonmacnoise
This painting (1838), by George Petrie,
Cross of the Scriptures shows pilgrims walking the traditional
This copy of the original 9th-century route three times around the site. Pilgrims
cross (now in the museum) is still do this every year on 9 September,
decorated with biblical scenes, St Ciarán’s Day.
but the identity of most of the
figures is uncertain.

KEY
1 The Pope’s Shelter was where
John Paul II conducted Mass during
his visit in 1979.
2 The Round Tower (see p24) is
over 19 m (62 ft) high with its
doorway above ground level.

Visiting Clonmacnoise Pilgrim path to
The Visitors’ Centre is housed in three buildings modelled Nuns’ Church
on beehive huts (see p25). The museum section contains
early grave slabs and the three remaining High Crosses, Entrance
replicas of which now stand in their original locations.
The Nuns’ Church, northeast of the main site, has a
Romanesque doorway and chancel arch.
Key
1 South Cross 7 Cathedral
2 Temple Dowling 8 North Cross
3 Temple Hurpan 9 Cross of the Scriptures
4 Temple Melaghlin 10 Round Tower
5 Temple Ciarán 11 Temple Connor
6 Temple Kelly 12 Temple Finghin
0 metres 50
Pope’s Shelter To Visitors’
0 yards 50 Centre
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p302 and pp321–3

254-255_EW_Ireland.indd 254 08/03/17 11:07 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm