Clonmacnoise Monastic Site

In the center of the main group of buildings at Clonmacnoise stands the Cathedral, which incorporates work of the 10th to the 15th C.. A notable feature is the medieval figure of St Patrick with two other saints above the north doorway. The sacristy dates from the 16th C.

To the east of the cathedral at Clonmacnoiseis the cell-like Oratory of St Ciaran (Temple Kieran), a tiny ninth century church probably containing the tomb of the founder.

At the north end of the Clonmacnoise precinct are Temple Connor (11th C.), now a Protestant church (closed).

At the north end of the Clonmacnoise precinct is Temple Finian (12th C.), which has a 56ft/17m high round tower.

At the north end of Clonmacnoise precinct is a round tower, O'Rourke's Tower, 60ft/18m high, which stands by itself close to the Shannon; it has an entrance doorway.

Clonmacnoise has three crosses. Outside the cathedral is one of the finest crosses in Ireland, the Cross of the Scriptures (10th C). On the west face are the Watching of the Tomb, the Arrest, the Betrayal and, above, the Crucifixion. On the east face, below, King Dermot is depicted helping St Ciaran to lay the cornerpost of the church; above this are a number of unidentified figures, and above these again the Last Judgment. On the south face are a bishop and David with his Harp. On the north face are another bishop, a man with Pan pipes and a falconer. On the base of the cross can be seen a hunting scene with horsemen, chariots and various animals. To the north of this cross is a cross fragment with figures and ornamental patterns. To the south of it a third high cross (ninth century) has a Crucifixion on the west face and panels containing intertwined animals and plants.

To the east of the Clonmacnoise monastic enclosure, reached by a paved way from the Oratory of St Ciaran, lies the ruined Nun's Church. The entrance doorway and the choir arch, both richly ornamented, are well preserved; the designs on the capitals of the choir arch are particularly intricate.