Clonmacnoise
Cluain Mhic Nóis | |
Canons Regular of Saint Augustine (1140–c.1144) Augustinian Canons Regular – Arroasian (1144–1568) | |
Established | AD 544 |
---|---|
Disestablished | 1568 |
Mother house | Clonard Abbey (mother house of nunnery only) |
Diocese | Diocese of Clonmacnoise |
People | |
Founder(s) | St. Ciarán |
Architecture | |
Style | Celtic monastic |
Site | |
Location | near Athlone, County Offaly, Ireland |
Coordinates | 53°19′26″N 7°59′28″W / 53.32389°N 7.99111°W |
Visible remains | cathedral, seven churches, two round towers, three high crosses, grave slabs |
Public access | yes |
Website | http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlands-eastcoast/clonmacnoise/ |
Official name | Clonmacnoise |
Reference no. | 81, 250, 601[1] |
Clonmacnoise (
Saint Ciarán founded the monastery in the ancient territory of
Clonmacnoise was largely abandoned by the end of the 13th century. Today the site includes nine ruined churches, a castle, two
Geography
Clonmacnoise (meaning 'Meadow of the Sons of Nós') is situated in County Offaly, Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone.[citation needed]
History
In 544
According to
Towards the close of the seventh century a plague carried off a large number of its students and professors.
By the 12th century Clonmacnoise began to decline. The reasons were varied, although attacks by the Vikings (under
In 1552 the English garrison at Athlone destroyed and looted Clonmacnoise for the final time, leaving it in ruins.[14]
The monastery ruins were one of the stops on the itinerary of
Buildings and High Crosses
The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches, two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of Early Christian grave slabs.[16]
Most of the churches have recently undergone comprehensive conservation works, mostly re-pointing, with the Nun's Church (about 1 km off site), currently under wraps while it too undergoes the same process.
O'Rourke's Tower: Though named O'Rourkes' Tower, after 10th-century Connacht king Fergal O'Rourke, the Chronicum Scotorum records that it was finished in 1124 by
Temple Finghín & McCarthy's Tower: Romanesque church and round tower – 12th century. An unusual occurrence was the vandalism of this church in 1864 by a person from Birr on a 'pleasure party' to the Seven Churches, as Clonmacnoise was often termed. This led to a landmark case when a prosecution was brought against the vandal by the Crown, due to the efforts of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. Some of the funds which had been raised for the prosecution were later used by the Society to repair the cap of the church's tower. The structure is possibly the earliest example of a church and round tower being part of a single structure in Ireland.[18]
Temple Connor: Church used by the Church of Ireland since the 18th century.[18] It underwent significant restoration works in the second decade of the twentieth century, when the pitch of the roof was raised and the internal space was remodelled. The church is maintained under the auspices of the Athlone Union of Parishes, and each Sunday during the summer a service is held at four o'clock in the afternoon.
North Cross: Oldest of the three extant crosses. Created c.800. Only the limestone shaft and sandstone base (a former millstone) survive. The decoration is non-Christian, with an image of Cernunnos, the Celtic God of hunting and fertility, displayed on the east face of the shaft.[19][17]
Temple Kelly: All that remains of this church are the low-lying perimeter stones, which still give a good indication of the church's original size.[17]
Temple Ciarán: At 2.8 by 3.8 metres, the smallest church in Clonmacnoise. Traditionally presented as the grave site of St. Ciarán, excavations of the church unearthed the Clonmacnoise Crozier, but no saintly remains.[17]
Cross of the Scriptures: This 4-metre-high sandstone cross is one of the most skilfully executed of the surviving high crosses in Ireland, and of particular interest for its surviving inscription, which asks a prayer for Flann Sinna, King of Ireland, and Abbot Colmán who commissioned the cross. Both men were also responsible for the building of the cathedral. The cross was carved from Clare sandstone c.900. The surface of the cross is divided into panels, showing scenes including the Crucifixion, the Last Judgement, and Christ in the Tomb.[20] The original was moved into the visitors' centre in 1991 to preserve it from the elements; a replica stands at the original site.[21]
Cathedral (Temple McDermot): Building started around 909 by King Flann Sinna and Abbot Colmán mac Ailella. The west doorway has been recently (and somewhat controversially), comprehensively restored with the Gothic-style north doorway, often called the Whispering Arch,[22] dating to the mid-15th century. The cathedral is the largest of the churches at Clonmacnoise. Rory O'Connor, the last High King of Ireland, was buried near the altar in 1198, joining his father Turlough. Most of the graves currently seen in the church are those of the Coghlan family, whose patriarch extensively rebuilt the cathedral in the mid-seventeenth century.[23]
Temple Melaghlin: Built c.1200. Also called the King's Church, due to the fact that at least seven generations of Melaghlin Kings are said to be buried underneath the structure.[18] The church is also believed to have housed the scriptorium, the room where the manuscripts were designed and decorated.[24]
South Cross: A 9th-century piece originally situated at the southern end of the site's central hub. It has one Christian scene on its west face, a rough carving of the Crucifixion of Christ. Many believe that the Cross may have been part inspiration for the later Cross of the Scriptures. Again, the original is in the interpretative centre, with a replica occupying its original site.[25]
Temple Dowling: Originally built in the 10th century, this tiny church is named after Edmund Dowling, who renovated it in 1689, placing a stone carving of his family crest above the door.[26]
Temple Hurpan: Built in the 17th century at the east end of Temple Dowling, this annex had no religious function outside of being a burial ground for some members of the local parish. Sometimes referred to as MacClaffey's Church.[18]
Interpretative Centre and facilities
Clonmacnoise was handed over by the Church of Ireland to the Irish Government in 1955 and has been maintained by various departmental bodies since then. Currently the Office of Public Works manages the site on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Local Government.[14]
The current visitors' centre opened in 1993, replacing a wooden structure, and entry to the site is contingent on the payment of an entry fee seven days a week (from 1973 to 1985 a part-time guiding/interpretative service was maintained, which also required a small admission fee). The centre was designed to cater for a maximum of 80,000 visitors per annum; it attracted roughly 169,000 visitors in 2007 and 135,000 in 2010.
Main features of the Interpretative Centre are exhibits depicting the history of Clonmacnoise and the area, archaeological artefacts (including the original stone crosses, brought indoors for preservation and display), information on the people who would have lived and worked there, and a section on the local ecology of the Shannon and the wetland bogs. Other amenities include a theatre for audio/visual presentations, a Fáilte Ireland tourist office, gift shop, tea room, toilets and parking. Guided tours of the site may be booked in advance for groups.[27]
The Fairy's or Horseman's Stone known now as Clonfanlough Stone
Near the Chapel of Clonfinlough at Clonmacnoise there are several limestone boulders, one of which is called the Fairy's or Horseman's Stone.[28] It has many cup-shaped hollows, crosses, daggers, and a pair of human feet (an example of a Petrosomatoglyph) possibly connected with the inauguration of Gaelic rulers.[29]
The Annals of Clonmacnoise
The Annals of Clonmacnoise chronicle events in Ireland from pre-history to A.D. 1408. The original manuscript or manuscripts are lost, and the names of its compilers are unknown. It is so-called because it was thought to be based on materials gathered at the monastery of Clonmacnoise.[30]
Annalistic references
- 792. Aelmidhair, OEconomus of Cluain Mic Nois, who was of the Sil Maelruanaidh, died.
- 793. Connmhach, son of Burbotha, a descendant of Guaire Aidhne, scribe of Cluain Mic Nois .. died.
- 784. Murghal, Abbot of Cluain Mic Nois, of the race of Fiachra, son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin
- 789. Colgu Ua Duineachda, lector of Cluain Mic Nois, he who composed the Scuaip Chrabhaidh, died.
- 793. Connmhach mac Burbotha, a descendant of Guaire Aidhne, scribe of Cluain Mic Nois;
- 794. Anaile, Abbot of Cluain Mic Nois, who was of the Ui Briuin, died.
- 811. Suibne mac Cuanach, Abbot of Cluain Mic Nois, one of the Ui Briuin Seola; Cluain Mic Nois was burned. In thirty days afterwards a victory was gained by Diarmaid, son of Tomaltach, over the Ui Fiachrach Muirisce.
- 814. Duibhinsi, scribe of Cluain Mic Nois;
- 848. Cétadach, Abbot of Cluain Mic Nois, died. He was of the tribe of Ui Cormaic Maenmhaighe. It was in lamentation of him this quatrain was composed: "All have heard it/both uncommon and common/That an abbot at Cluain like Cedadach will never again be seen."
- 899. Ioseph of Loch Con, Abbot of Cluain Mic Nois, of the tribe of the northern Ui Fiachrach;
See also
- Abbot of Clonmacnoise, for a list of abbots
- Bishop of Clonmacnoise, for a list of bishops
- Priests of Clonmacnoise
- Scribes, Lectors and Wise men of Clonmacnoise
- Anchorites of Clonmacnoise
- Head of the little church of Clonmacnoise
- Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Offaly)
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
- The Clonmacnoise Crozier
Notes
- ^ "National Monuments in State Care: Ownership & Guardianship, Offaly" (PDF). 4 March 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Abbey and School of Clonmacnoise".
- ^ Irish Tourism, Clonmacnoise
- ^ Moss (2014), p. 126
- ^ Moss (2014), pp. 126-127
- ISBN 9780788437854.
- ^ Adomnan of Iona. Life of St Columba. ed. Richard Sharpe. 1995, Penguin Books.
- ^ Ryan, John (1 January 1976). Clonmacnois: a historical summary. Stationery Office [for] the National Parks and Monuments Branch, Office of Public Works. pp. 47–51.
- ^ Dr.R.J.Quinn. "Clonmacnoise Bridge – AD 804". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ^ "Clonmacnoise – Monastic site – Attractions – Churches, Abbeys and Monasteries – All Ireland – Republic of Ireland – Offaly – Clonmacnoise – All Ireland – Republic of Ireland – Offaly – Shannonbridge – Discover Ireland".
- ^ Graves, James (1864–66). "Proceedings". Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. 8: 109–113, 174–9.
- ^ Annals of the Four Masters M1106
- ISBN 978-1-84383-597-4.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-136-63944-9.
- ISBN 978-0-8156-0312-2.
- ^ ""Clonmacnoise", Heritage Ireland". Archived from the original on 19 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74104-696-0.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4969-8868-3.
- ^ Archaeologia Cambrensis. W. Pickering. 2003. p. 7.
- ISBN 978-90-5867-241-4.
- ISBN 978-1-4027-3824-1.
- ^ Cox, Trevor (2 May 2020). "Clonmacnoise whispering arch". sonicwonders.org. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Fallow, Thomas McCall (1894). The Cathedral Churches of Ireland. Bemrose & Sons. Limited. p. 21.
- ISBN 978-0-9512627-1-9.
- ISBN 978-1-85918-107-2.
- ISBN 9780788437854.
- ISBN 978-1-4262-0022-9.
- ^ The Journal of the Kilkenny and South-east of Ireland Archaeological Society. Vol. 8. Ireland Archaeological Society. 1867. p. 360.
- ISBN 978-1-78327-074-3.
- ISBN 978-3-8258-3442-5.
References
- John O'Donovan, ed. (1856). Annála Rioghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters... with a Translation and Copious Notes. 7 vols. Translated by O'Donovan (2nd ed.). Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. CELT editions. Full scans at Internet Archive: Vol. 1; Vol. 2; Vol. 3; Vol. 4; Vol. 5; Vol. 6; Indices.
- King, Heather A (1998). Clonmacnoise Studies Vol.1. Duchas & Wordwell. ISBN 0-7076-5098-4.
- King, Heather A (2003). Clonmacnoise Studies Vol.2. ISBN 0-7557-1793-7.
- ISBN 978-0-3001-7919-4