08/10/2025
One of the most fascinating stops along the river was Clonmacnoise.
Clonmacnoise is a ruined monastery in County Offaly in Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone, founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán.
Saint Ciarán founded the monastery in the ancient territory of Uí Maine at a point where the major east–west land route meets the River Shannon after crossing the bogs of Central Ireland known as the Esker Riada. The strategic location of the monastery helped it become a major center of religion, learning, craftsmanship and trade by the 9th century; and together with Clonard it was one of the most famous places in Ireland, visited by scholars from all over Europe. From the ninth until the eleventh century it was allied with the kings of Meath. Many of the high kings of Tara and of Connacht were buried here.
