ClonmacnoiseClonmacnoise is situated on the banks of the river Shannon, once a strategic point of embarkation for chieftains who would leave their boats and travel inland to Tara seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Saint Ciaran founded a monastery here in 1406 which became a place of reverence and excellence in learning. It typifies that time in history when Ireland was known as the land of saints and scholars. Highly skilled, the monks created illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells and intricately elaborate metalwork crosiers and chalices like the Ardagh Chalice inlaid with precious stones. When the Vikings invaded they targeted these settlements which led to the building of the round towers. Notice the doorway is high up, the idea being, that the monks could escape up there with their treasures and pull up the ladder behind them. The site today consists of two round towers, a cathedral, seven ruined churches, three high crosses, and a heli-pad?
Yes, this is a very popular site not just with visiting dignitaries like the pope, similar to Glendalough. So expect big crowds at Clonmacnoise during the summer months, indeed it is busy all year round. And it can be really annoying in what should be a quiet and holy place, to be listening to loud people yacking away on their mobile phones, while you are trying to absorb the feel of the place. Thankfully there are dozens of similar less well known sites, complete with round towers, churches, high crosses and all throughout the country, like Kilmacduagh, Gort, County Galway which you most likely will have to yourself. You can just pick up the key from the house opposite and go and explore it all on your own.... 10 Other things to do and see near Clonmacnoise.... 1 Lockes Distillery reputedly the oldest distillery in the world. This is the real deal, it even smells right, and there's free tastings with the guided tour at Kilbeggan, County Westmeath. 2 Belvedere House & Gardens has a very peculiar yet fascinating history, beautiful grounds and lakeside walks, gorgeous walled garden, restaurant and exhibition centre. 3 Johnathan Swift Park at Lilliput, yes you read that correctly, there is such a place on the shores of Lough Ennell. The dean of St Patricks is believed to have gotten his inspiration for the tale of the little people, Gullivers Travels 1726 from watching people at a distance across the lake in Belvedere. 4 The Hill of Uisneach believed to be the ‘other’ centre of Celtic Ireland, Tara being the most well known and celebrated seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Dedicated to the pagan God, Lugh and famous for its 6 metre high ‘Cat Stone’.
5 Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre yet another great Irish whiskey museum to explore, terrible isnt it? and the birth place of the very first Irish liqueur Irish Mist. 6 Tullynally Castle & Gardens gothic splendour, fairytale turrets and romantic gardens. 7 Loughcrew complex of burial mounds, passage graves, solar and lunar allignement. Great legend of Hag witch.... 8 Fore Abbey medieval monastry also famous for motorbike racing. 9 The Lakes Loughs Derrevaragh, Ennell, Coole fabled home of many Irish fairytales, including the Children of Lir. 10 Mullaghmeen Forest the largest planted beech forest in Europe, a delight in spring when its carpeted with bluebells or in Autumn when the leaves are turning.
For more information on the Sacred Places of Ireland, click here For more information on Clonmacnoise please click here. 
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