Clonmacnoise: The historical settlement in Ireland (Part – 1)

By Asad Russel –

About Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, Ireland:
In County Offaly overlooking the River Shannon a monastic site is the Clonmacnoise in Irish which known as the Cluain Mhic Nois which means “Meadow of the Sons of Nos”. This is an extensive ruins site which includes a castle, a cathedral, numerous churches, round towers, two high crosses what are important, and of the Christian grave slabs a large collection.

The history of the Clonmacnoise:
By St. Ciaran, of a master craftsman who was the son in 548 was founded the Clonmacnoise. A major center of learning, religion, craftsmanship, politics and trade soon became the settlement, of the River Shannon which flowing from north to south and of the glacial eskers which running from east to west the gravel ridges at the major crossroads to its position thanks in large part.

Between the two province of Connacht and Meath was also situated the settlement, and of powerful provincial kings from the patronage benefited. With the Connacht was originally associated the Clonmacnoise, but with Meath allied itself from the 9th to 11th centuries. To Connacht once again allegiance reverted in the late 11th and 12th centuries. In 1198 in Clonmacnoise cathedral was buried Rory O’Connor who was the last high king of Ireland.

At Clonmacnoise the central focus was religion, but a large lay population it always had and thus than a monastery more like a town it looked. From wood are made of the domestic buildings and houses and today have not survived those, but in the site’s museum of one such building there is a reconstruction. Also made from wood were the earlier churches at Clonmacnoise, but onward they were built of stone from the 10th century.

In Ireland all monastic settlements like nearly, by invaders on several occasions was plundered Clonmacnoise, which includes the Anglo-Normans and the Vikings. From the 13th century into decline it then fell onwards from nearby Athlone by the English garrison in 1552 until it was destroyed. In 1877 a national monument was designated the Clonmacnoise and by the Office of Public Works (OPW) is overseen now.

At the Clonmacnoise what to see:
There is a large round tower near the museum and visitor’s center, by Turlough O’Connor and O’Malone who were the successor of St. Ciaran in 1124 was built. In 1135 by lightning it was struck and of a later date is the present top. The case as it normally, well above ground level is the doorway. With rectangular limestone blocks it is faced.

At Clonmacnoise the Cathedral is the largest among of the many churches, by the King Tara (the Flann Sinna) and the by the Abbot of Clonmacnoise (the Colman) in 909 originally was built. In the north wall can be seen of the original building the brown sandstone.

From about 1200 dates the west door and between Gothic and Romanesque is in the transitional style, around that time was also added a sacristy. In 1198 close to the altar was buried the Rory O’Connor, for Ireland the last high king. From the original positions two meters over was rebuilt the south wall, a structural problem to correct probably.  

Will Continue........

Posted by : Unknown 11:32 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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