Clonmacnoise
Category: Families, Outdoors, Culture, Sightseeing
Type: Castles, Historic Homes & Sites, Visitor Centres, Churches & Cathedrals, General Attractions
Clonmacnoise
Shannonbridge
Co Offaly
Shannonbridge
Co Offaly
Tel: +353 90 967 4195
Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.
Includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches, two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe.
Clonmacnoise
Georgina Campbell
Clonmacnoise is an Early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. The strategic location of the monastery helped it become a major centre of religion, learning, craftsmanship and trade by the 9th century and together with Clonard it was the most famous in Ireland, visited by scholars from all over Europe.
Artisans associated with Clonmacnoise created some of the most beautiful and enduring artworks in metal and stone ever seen in Ireland, with the Clonmacnoise Crozier (on display in the National Museum of Ireland) and the Cross of the Scriptures representing the apex of their efforts.
The Clonmacnoise site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches, two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe. Most of the churches have recently undergone comprehensive conservation works, mostly re-pointing.
The long and varied history of Clonmacnoise is recounted in an audiovisual presentation shown in the visitor centre. There are also exhibitions that deal with the flora, fauna and landscape of the region.
Artisans associated with Clonmacnoise created some of the most beautiful and enduring artworks in metal and stone ever seen in Ireland, with the Clonmacnoise Crozier (on display in the National Museum of Ireland) and the Cross of the Scriptures representing the apex of their efforts.
The Clonmacnoise site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches, two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe. Most of the churches have recently undergone comprehensive conservation works, mostly re-pointing.
The long and varied history of Clonmacnoise is recounted in an audiovisual presentation shown in the visitor centre. There are also exhibitions that deal with the flora, fauna and landscape of the region.
Opening Time:
Open Daily year round (closed 25&26 Dec); November-mid March 10am-5.30pm; mid March-May 10am-6pm; June-August 9am-7pm; September-October 10am-6pm. Last admission is 45mins before closing.
Admission Charge:
Adults €6; Child/Student €2; OAP/Group €4; Family €14.
Directions
21km from Athlone signposted from the N62 or 20km from Ballinasloe signposted from the R357.View Similar Tourist Attractions
- Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
- Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
- Casino Marino
- Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
- Famine Warhouse
- Tayto Park
- Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
- Enniskillen Castle Museum
- Jerpoint Abbey
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- Foynes Flying Boat Museum
- Derrynane House
- Ballycroy National Park
- Craggaunowen - The Living Past
- Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
- Donegal Castle
- National Wax Museum Plus
- Adare Castle
- Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
- Scattery Island Centre
- Kerry County Museum
- Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
- Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
- Galway City Museum
- VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
- Lusk Heritage Centre
- Farmleigh House & Estate
- Donegal County Museum
- Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
- Dublin Zoo
- Sligo Abbey
- Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- Patrick Pearses Cottage
- The Science Gallery
- Trim Castle
- Hugh Lane Gallery
- Battle of the Boyne
- Skerries Mills
- Florence Court
- Dunbrody Famine Ship
- Mizen Head Signal Station
- Emo Court
- National Leprechaun Museum
- Charles Fort
- Parkes Castle
- House of Waterford Crystal
- Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
- Funtasia Waterpark
- Barryscourt Castle
- Kilkenny Castle
- Dromore Wood
- Russborough House
- Armagh County Museum
- Chester Beatty Library
- Aillwee Cave
- Clonmacnoise
- Listowel Castle
- Portumna Castle & Gardens
- Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
- National Sea Life Centre
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
- Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
- Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
- Castletown House
- Doneraile Wildlife Park
- National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
- Croke Park & GAA Museum
- Boyle Abbey
- Skibbereen Heritage Centre
- Adare Heritage Centre
- Malahide Castle
- Castlecomer Discovery Park
- Dunmore Cave
- Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
- Fort Lucan
- Saint Patricks Cathedral
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Caherconnell Fort
- Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
- Ferns Castle
- Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
- Little Museum of Dublin
- Hill of Tara
- Clare Museum
- National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
- Navan Centre & Fort
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Guinness Storehouse
- Rock of Cashel
- Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
- Iveagh Gardens
- The Main Guard
- Connemara National Park
- National Transport Museum
- Desmond Castle
- Titanic Belfast
- Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
- The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
- Armagh Planetarium
- St Stephens Green
- Dun Aonghasa
- Aras an Uachtarain
- Blarney Castle
- Museum at the Mill
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
- King Johns Castle
- Rothe House & Garden
- Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
- Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
- Dingle Oceanworld
- National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
- Ballyhack Castle
- Skellig Michael
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
- Glendalough
- Viking Splash Tours
- Galway Atlantaquaria
- Coole Park
- John F Kennedy Arboretum
- Glasnevin Museum
- National Library of Ireland
- Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
- Somme Heritage Centre
- Athenry Castle
- Burren National Park
- Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
- Crag Cave
- Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
- Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
- Queens University
- Ulster American Folk Park
- Natural History Museum
- Ormond Castle
- Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
- Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Tintern Abbey
- Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
- Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
- Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
- Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
- The Butlers Chocolate Experience
- Ardfert Cathedral
- Larne Museum & Arts Centre
- Jameson Experience Midleton
- The Hunt Museum
- Rathfarnham Castle
- Ulster Museum
- Dungarvan Castle
- National Gallery of Ireland
- Old Mellifont Abbey
- Dwyer McAllister Cottage
- National Concert Hall
- Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
- Government Buildings
- Leopardstown Racecourse
- Eagles Flying
- Garylough Mill
- Cobh Heritage Centre
- St Marys Abbey
- Thomond Park Stadium
- Giants Causeway
- Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
- Phoenix Park
- Maynooth Castle
- Dublinia
- Ross Castle
- Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
- The Old Jameson Distillery
- Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
- The Ark
- Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
- Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
- Dublin Castle
- St Marys Church
- Belfast Zoo
- Desmond Hall
- Aviva Stadium
- Avondale House & Forest Park
- Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
- Ceide Fields
- Carrickfergus Museum
- Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
- Swiss Cottage
- Castle Ward House & Demesne
- Funtasia Bettystown
- Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
- Arigna Mining Experience
- National Photographic Archive
- Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
- Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- King House
- Killarney National Park
- Bushmills Distillery
- Cahir Castle
- Reginalds Tower
- Glenveagh National Park
- The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
- Tower Museum
- Ennis Friary
- Aughnanure Castle
Local Recommendations
Hospitality
- Village Tavern, The
(6.1km)SW - Athlone Springs Hotel
(11.1km)NE - Meadowsweet Apiaries
(11.2km)SE - Kin Khao Thai Restaurant
(11.3km)NE - Al Mezza
(11.4km)NE - Left Bank Bistro, The
(11.4km)NE - Sean's Bar
(11.4km)NE - Beans and Leaves
(11.6km)NE - Thyme Restaurant
(11.6km)NE - Fatted Calf, The
(11.6km)NE - Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone
(11.7km)NE - Sheraton Athlone
(11.7km)NE - Clanwood Farm
(13.0km)SE - J.J.Hough
(14.9km)SE - Flynns Bar & Restaurant
(14.9km)SE - Bo Bristle Brewing Company
(15.1km)SE - Carlton Shearwater
(15.2km)NW - Coolfin Gardens Organic Bakery
(15.2km)SE - Kariba's Restaurant & Coffee House
(15.6km)NW - Beechlawn Organic Farm
(15.8km)SW
Self Catering
- The Stone Cottage
(30.1km)SW - Roundwood House - The Forge & The Cottage
(45.3km)SE
Farmers Markets
- Athlone - County Westmeath - Saturdays
(11.4km)NE - Ballinasloe - County Galway - Fridays
(15.2km)NW - Birr - The Full Moon - Co Offaly - every 3rd Sunday
(25.8km)SE - Tullamore Country Fair - County Offaly - Saturdays
(33.1km)SE - Roscommon - Co Roscommon - Fridays
(36.7km)NW - Mountbellew Local Food - Co Galway - Wednesday
(37.8km)NW - Loughrea - Co Galway - Thursday
(40.9km)SW - Longford - Co Longford - Fridays
(46.4km)NE - Mullingar - County Westmeath - Sundays
(48.7km)NE - Portlaoise - Co Laois - Fridays
(56.1km)SE
Tourist Attractions
-
Clonmacnoise
(0.0km)SE -
Portumna Castle & Gardens
(30.3km)SE -
Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
(32.8km)SE -
Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
(33.6km)SE -
Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
(38.0km)SE -
Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
(43.0km)SE
Golf Courses
- Athlone Golf Club
(15.6km) NE - Glasson Hotel & Golf Club
(17.9km) NE - Mount Temple Golf Club
(18.5km) NE - Birr Golf Club
(22.7km) SE - Esker Hills Golf Club
(28.6km) SE - Tullamore Golf Club
(32.4km) SE - New Forest Golf Club
(39.2km) NE - Mullingar Golf Club
(45.5km) NE - Nenagh Golf Club
(47.7km) SW
Gardens
- Birr Castle Demesne
(25.8km)SE - Castlecoote House & Gardens
(38.1km)NW - Bellefield
(38.2km)SE - Belvedere House, Gardens & Park
(45.3km)NE - Gash Gardens
(50.9km)SE - Tullynally Castle & Gardens
(58.4km)NE - Heywood Gardens
(67.2km)SE
Nearby Towns/Areas
- Shannonbridge
(6.1km) SW - Shannonbridge
(6.1km) SW - Athlone
(11.4km) NE - Cloghan
(13.0km) SE - Banagher
(14.9km) SE - Ballinasloe
(15.4km) NW - Glasson
(18.4km) NE - Moate
(19.6km) NE - Lecarrow
(24.9km) NW - Birr
(25.6km) SE
Apps and Books
-
Georgina Campbell's Ireland - The Best of the Best
A selective companion guide to our famous broad-based online collection, the ‘glovebox bib ...more... -
From Tide to Table by Georgina Campbell
Paperback edition of From Tide to Table - Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Buying, Prep ...more...
Comments
There are currently no comments
Leave a comment
Not a member? Register for your free membership now!
Or leave a comment by logging in with: