CLONMACNOISE IN IRELAND

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Monastic set of Clonmacnoise in Ireland

Before making my first trip through the rural world and the Ireland landscapes, beyond what was my first contact with the country, with a first trip to DublinI could not imagine visiting that country and not seeing the celtic crosses.

What better place to do it than an enclave as magical asClonmacnoise, an essential stage in your trip from the aforementioned Dublin to the west of the island to tour the Atlantic coast route.

Can you imagine a place that goes back to the paleochristian era, specifically, in the middle of the 6th century, where hundreds of sepulchers with Celtic crosses extend, dating from the eighth and twelfth centuries. with the archaeological remains of several temples and a small Cathedral?

That's Clonmacnoise.

Bell tower in Clonmacnoise in Ireland

Located almost in the geographic center of the island of Ireland, in the county of Offaly, On the banks of Shannon River, history says that the abbey and the monastic set of Clonmacnoise They were founded in 548 by San Ciarano.

It was the time of barbarian invasions and St. Patrick a century earlier he had already established the catholic church in Ireland.

With the foundation of a monastery such as Clonmacnoise the pagan tradition of the Druids was collected and a center of power was created that became a small city populated by the Celts.

The monks spread the new Catholic religion, but without hierarchical relationship with Rome.

Celtic Cross of the Scriptures in Clonmacnoise in Ireland

San Ciarano He died just a year after the foundation of the monastery, but since he was buried there, for 1,500 years it has become a place of pilgrimage.

Clonmacnoise visit

What will you see now in your Clonmacnoise visit?

It will give you the feeling of being in a large cemetery, and it is like that, because the first thing that is going to get your attention are the big ones celtic crosses located in front of the remains of what was a small Cathedral whose origin dates back to the year 909, and the stone remains of some buildings, cracks of what was a small city with several temples.

Southern Cross in Clonmacnoise in Ireland

Of course, the entire enclave is chaired by a large circular stone tower 17 meters high.

Raised in the year 1124, it is a typical medieval tower of Ireland, a mixture of bell tower and defensive place, where you will be surprised to see that the entrance to it is at a certain height.

If what has led you to Clonmacnoise is to see the celtic stone crosses, the most important you find it right in front of the aforementioned Cathedral.

Celtic crosses in Clonmacnoise

Known as the Scripture Cross, was built around 900 on a single block of sandstone. With four meters high, you can see various inscriptions, as well as scenes from the Cruxification or the Final judgment.

Temple of San Ciarano in Clonmacnoise in Ireland

I will make the exception that it is a replica because the original cross can be seen in the small Museum of Visitors Center, in order to be preserved from the weather.

Between the celtic crosses also highlights the so-called Southern Cross, 3.7 meters high, which shows an ornamental decoration with abstract shapes.

The so-called Cathedral from Clonmacnoise It was built in the year 909, and they are the remains with greater dimension than you can see in the place, and what is best preserved of the original building is the north wall.

Celtic crosses in Clonmacnoise in Ireland

Of course, on the west facade, originally from the year 1200, you will be able to cross a mixed Romanesque and Gothic style door.

The tomb of the saint is in the smallest of the temples, barely four meters long, which is known by the name of Ciaran Temple.

The remains of the others Clonmacnoise temples They are also from the same period, around the year 1200, although they had remodeling in later centuries.

Original Scripture Cross in Clonmacnoise Museum

your Clonmacnoise visit you must complete it by touring the aforementioned museum of Visitors Center, especially to see the original Scripture Cross.