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Castle or abbey

Clonmacnoise

County Offaly

A great monastic city on the Shannon, raided again and again.

St Ciarán founded a monastery here in 544, and it grew into one of the great centres of learning in Europe. Kings of Ireland were buried here.

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When
Founded 544
Where
53.3260, -7.9860
Group
Castles & abbeys

Visiting

Office of Public Works, with a visitor centre and the original high crosses indoors.

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