MACALISTER, R.A.S. The Memorial Slabs of Clonmacnoise, King’s County

Beginning in the 8th century and for almost half a millennium Clonmacnoise grew to become a large monastic city and surrounded by a large population of the laity. It became a major centre of religious learning during the Middle Ages after Roman civilisation collapsed in Europe and along with other Irish monasteries earn Ireland the reputation of ‘the land of saints and scholars’. The Gaelic royalty were the patrons of Clonmacnoise and its powerful abbot. The monastery became known for its literature, art and the beautiful Christian artefacts made from precious metals attracting Viking and Gaelic Irish raiders.

Gaelic Irish aristocrats were buried there including at least two High Kings of Ireland. Monks from the monastery also fought at one time with their rivals at St. Columba’s monastery in Durrow. After the Norman conquest in the 12th century, the Burke dynasty established a castle nearby and curtailed the rights of the Gaelic Irish and authorities of Clonmacnoise. The town of Athlone grew at the expense of Clonmacnoise while the Celtic monks faced competition new religious orders such as the Franciscans, Augustinians, Benedictines and Cistercians. In time Clonmacnoise declined and following the English Reformation which witnessed the dissolution of monasteries across the realm, medieval monasticism in Ireland came to an end.