Clonmacnoise

We left Galway and drove east, across the midlands, toward Dublin. We stopped at the monastic ruins at Clonmacnoise. This now isolated place was once at the crossroads of Ireland, where the Shannon river meets the ancient passageway through the bog land. Pilgrims used to find their way there to worship, and celebrations are still held there on St. Ciaran's Day.

In 547 AD, a young priest named Ciaran decided to start a monastic settlement here. He built a wooden frame church on this spot, but tragically died one year later with yellow fever. A stone church was built on the spot in later years. Ciaran was purportedly buried here, but his body was not found when archaeologists looked. They did find an 11th century crozier buried in the church, and it is now in the museum in Dublin.

This is the "Whispering Door" on a church ruin. If you whisper in the channel on one side of the door, it can be heard by a person who places their ear next to the groove on the other side. Our guide, Michael, is standing by the door.

One of three high crosses that were moved inside to the museum.

The oldest "cross" found on the site. They theorize the cross part was added later then knocked off. The carvings are pagan, with no reference to scripture.

View of the cemetery. The cemetery grounds are extensive, with people from all periods of time buried there. There are also two round towers and many ruins on the site.  There were numerous Viking and Norman raids.