monastic sites ireland

Some 3 km further on, left, are the striking remains of this former episcopal centre. St. Colman, the MacDuagh referred to, founded the monastery in the 6th century. He was a kinsman of King Guarie of Gort, who donated the site. The monastic remains comprise the Church of Ireland cathedral, part of which dates from the 10th century; a fine example of round tower structure which has a notable lean from the perpendicular; John the Baptist's church, north-northeast of the Cathedral, now in ruins...

St Declan founded Ireland's earliest Christian settlement in Ardmore in 416 A.D. before the arrival of St Patrick. The 12th Century Round Tower, is 29m high and is the best example of an Irish Round Tower. The carvings on the West Gable of the Cathedral are special to Ardmore and depict Biblical scenes, as well as scenes from the early Christianisation of Ardmore. Nearby are St Declan's Grave (Beannachan). Ogham Stones, St. Declan's Stone and St. Declan's Well (Hermitage). The Round Tower...

Inchcleraun is situated on Lough Rea, which is associated with Queen Maeve. Legend telss that she was killed while bathing on the island, by an Ulsterman who shot a stone at her from the mainland, in revenge for the Ulster Cattle Raid. The monastery itself, was built in the 6th century, which is credited to St. Diarmuid.

There are the ruins of four churches there. The first - Teampul Mor, was built in the 13th century, probably by the Augustinians. The Women's Church is believed to have...

Two very early, possibly 8th century, High Crosses have elaborate and varied abstract patterns on the heads and shafts. the base of the larger north cross has Christ giving their mission to the Apostles, two processions and an uncertain animal scene. The south cross has the mission again, Daniel in the Lion's Den, Adam and Eve. A camera lens will note the detail far better than the eye in all but the most ideal slanted light. This is an important site in the development of Irish art. H...

A beautifully decorated cross-inscribed pillar standing in an old walled monastic enclosure, which also contains two smaller cross-slabs and the foundations of a number of beehive huts. Extensive excavations also revealed a 'founder's tomb' and a stone oratory preceded by a wooden structure....

Distributed over many acres and extending into adjoining townlands, Carrowmore represents the largest grouping of megalithic monuments in Ireland, and immense Neolithic burial ground where once there may have been more than a hundred tombs. Casual exploration in the last century and present day gravel quarrying in the vicinity have devalued the archaeological potential of the site; but it is still a rewarding place to visit, steeped in atmosphere and evoking a sense of the past.
The s...

The ancients knew a good spot when they saw one. That is why looking at Northern Ireland's historic monuments is a wonderful way to get acquainted with the countryside.....

Though little more than half a mile to the west of the busy Dublin road, there is an air of detachment and antiquity about this celebrated place. The monastery came into existence in the sixth century but little is known of its founder, St Buite. Its fame rests chiefly on its exquisitely sculptured High Crosses, notably the South Cross, now generally called Muiredach's Cross after an abbot whose name is inscribed on the base. The cross is remarkable for the variety and organisation of its scr...

Visit the ruins of Achonry Monastery, founded by St Finian of Clonard in the 6th century , 6.5km (4mls) to the north east of the town. St Nathy's Church of Ireland Cathedral is now built on the site....

Moyne Abbey and Rosserk Abbey are located close to each other, north of Ballina. Both compete for the title of largest and most impressive ecclesiastical ruins in Mayo and both have much in common. Moyne was founded by the Burke Family as a Franciscan friary. Built in the late Irish Gothic Style, it was consecrated in 1462. This abbey was destroyed in the 1590s by Queen Elizabeth's governor of Connacht, Sir Richard Bingham....