Overview
Attracting scholars from across Europe for millennia, Clonmacnoise was once the foremost monastery in Ireland.
Established in the sixth century (around 545AD), the then-thriving community of monks, artists and craftspeople grew from a handful to almost 2000 people.
Today, ruins of a cathedral, towers, churches and high crosses adorn the grassy banks of the River Shannon. Small cruises ferry passengers to this medieval destination.
Images: Tourism Ireland