Clonmacnoise

Monastery Athlone, County Offaly, Ireland

What to expect

Clonmacnoise is a spectacular monastery on the banks of the River Shannon, founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán. The site includes nine ruined churches, a castle, two round towers, and a large number of carved stone crosses and cross-slabs. It was a major center of religion, learning, craftsmanship, and trade, and many high kings of Tara and Connacht were buried here. The monastery features a cathedral, seven churches, and several high crosses, including the 10th-century Cross of the Scriptures. Visitors can explore the site and learn about its history through an audiovisual presentation. The site also has facilities such as baby changing, bicycle parking, and a picnic area, making it a great place to visit with family

Plan your family visit to the Clonmacnoise with these blog insights 👇

Ireland: 12-day road trip with a toddler - Our route, highlights, and tips

This family's experience:

Activities: We stopped at Clonmacnoise, a monastery ruin on the River Shannon

Highlights: It was a nice place for a break ✨

Family trip to Ireland: complete file

This family's experience:

Activities: We explored Clonmacnoise, a historic monastic site with its famous Celtic crosses, including the Cross of the Scriptures, one of the tallest and most beautiful in Ireland

Highlights: The kids loved exploring the ruins of the monastery and seeing the ancient Celtic crosses. They were fascinated by the history of the site and the beauty of the crosses ✨