Clonmacnoise

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 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.

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.

Adults €6; Child/Student €2; OAP/Group €4; Family €14.

View Similar Tourist Attractions

• Coole Park
• Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
• Dunmore Cave
• Ardfert Cathedral
• Desmond Castle
• Ceide Fields
• Enniskillen Castle Museum
• Funtasia Bettystown
• Cahir Castle
• St Stephens Green
• Dublinia
• Skerries Mills
• Craggaunowen - The Living Past
• Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
• Glasnevin Museum
• Queens University
• Charles Fort
• Caherconnell Fort
• Dun Aonghasa
• Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
• Kilmainham Gaol
• Skellig Michael
• National Library of Ireland
• National Photographic Archive
• Ennis Friary
• Crag Cave
• Ballycroy National Park
• Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
• VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
• Listowel Castle
• Rock of Cashel
• Swiss Cottage
• Iveagh Gardens
• Ormond Castle
• Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
• St Marys Church
• Natural History Museum
• Castle Ward House & Demesne
• Little Museum of Dublin
• Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
• Bushmills Distillery
• Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
• Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
• Trim Castle
• National Leprechaun Museum
• Blarney Castle
• Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
• Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
• Athenry Castle
• Skibbereen Heritage Centre
• Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
• Tower Museum
• Jameson Experience Midleton
• Tintern Abbey
• Farmleigh House & Estate
• Ulster Museum
• Ferns Castle
• Glendalough
• Garylough Mill
• Titanic Belfast
• Avondale House & Forest Park
• Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
• Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
• National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
• St Marys Abbey
• Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
• Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
• Malahide Castle
• Chester Beatty Library
• Dublin Zoo
• House of Waterford Crystal
• Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
• Arigna Mining Experience
• Leopardstown Racecourse
• Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
• Aviva Stadium
• Emo Court
• The Main Guard
• The Science Gallery
• The Butlers Chocolate Experience
• Burren National Park
• Ulster American Folk Park
• Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
• Barryscourt Castle
• Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
• Ballyhack Castle
• Castletown House
• Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
• Jerpoint Abbey
• Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
• Patrick Pearses Cottage
• Somme Heritage Centre
• Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
• Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
• Museum at the Mill
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Phoenix Park
• Rathfarnham Castle
• Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
• National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
• Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
• Carrickfergus Museum
• Hill of Tara
• Thomond Park Stadium
• National Concert Hall
• Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
• Armagh Planetarium
• Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
• Clonmacnoise
• Belfast Zoo
• Eagles Flying
• Aras an Uachtarain
• Donegal Castle
• Aillwee Cave
• The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
• Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
• Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
• Hugh Lane Gallery
• National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
• Fort Lucan
• Russborough House
• Killarney National Park
• Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
• Glenveagh National Park
• Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
• Croke Park & GAA Museum
• Dublin Castle
• Wicklow Mountains National Park
• Adare Castle
• Cobh Heritage Centre
• Navan Centre & Fort
• Old Mellifont Abbey
• Derrynane House
• Donegal County Museum
• Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
• The Old Jameson Distillery
• Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
• Lusk Heritage Centre
• Guinness Storehouse
• Kerry County Museum
• Adare Heritage Centre
• Famine Warhouse
• Dunbrody Famine Ship
• The Ark
• Tayto Park
• Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
• Galway Atlantaquaria
• Viking Splash Tours
• Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
• Maynooth Castle
• Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
• Sligo Abbey
• National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
• Rothe House & Garden
• John F Kennedy Arboretum
• King House
• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
• Dwyer McAllister Cottage
• Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
• Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
• Florence Court
• Giants Causeway
• Galway City Museum
• Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
• King Johns Castle
• Saint Patricks Cathedral
• Funtasia Waterpark
• Dungarvan Castle
• Dromore Wood
• Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
• Dingle Oceanworld
• National Transport Museum
• Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
• Connemara National Park
• The Hunt Museum
• The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
• Ross Castle
• Clare Museum
• National Sea Life Centre
• Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
• Kilkenny Castle
• Larne Museum & Arts Centre
• Doneraile Wildlife Park
• Mizen Head Signal Station
• Armagh County Museum
• National Wax Museum Plus
• Portumna Castle & Gardens
• Boyle Abbey
• Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
• National Gallery of Ireland
• Casino Marino
• Aughnanure Castle
• Reginalds Tower
• Scattery Island Centre
• Battle of the Boyne
• Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
• Desmond Hall
• Foynes Flying Boat Museum
• Castlecomer Discovery Park
• Government Buildings
• Parkes Castle

Local Recommendations

Hospitality

• Village Tavern, The
  (6.1km)SW
• 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
• Hodson Bay Hotel
  (16.0km)NE

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