The Monastery at Clonmacnoise

I know I said I’d talk about Galway next, but I was looking at photos and decided to post a few of the monastery at Clonmacnoise instead. (I think it’s pronounced “klon-muh-noish” but don’t quote me.)

A bonus graveyard! It doesn’t get much better than this.

I’m not a religious person in any way, but old churches, cathedrals, and monasteries fascinate me. Something about the hushed quiet, centuries of history, and pursuit of something greater than our individual selves appeals.

Clonmacnoise is a monastery from the 6^th century, and was home to Saint Ciarán, one of the twelve apostles of Ireland.

The Monastery sits on the bank of the River Shannon and features cathedral ruins, seven churches from the 10th to the 13th century, two round towers, three high crosses, and the largest collection of Early Christian grave slabs in Western Europe.

That’s a lot of religious-ruins bang for the buck/Euro.

Celtic Cross

I so wanted this to have a secret tunnel entrance. But nope, just a ladder.

Stairs to Nowhere

Some People’s Stairway to Heaven

What kinds of sites do you seek out when you travel?

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