Barging in Ireland – Irish Barge Cruise
Tour the Ancient Clonmacnoise Ruins
A luxury canal cruise aboard the Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess is the perfect way to experience the lovely Irish countryside... not only the rich wildlife and spectacular scenery, but their myths and legends as well. One of the highlights on this barge cruise in Ireland is the unforgettable tour of the Clonmacnoise ruins. Clonmacnoise is a ruined monastery situated in County Offaly in Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone, founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán.
Clonmacnoise Ruins
The monastery was built in the heart of Ireland, where the ancient Esker Riada trail crossed the River Shannon. The Esker Riada, a raised natural feature of sand and stone which was formed towards the end of the last glacial period, was the country's most important land-based route for Ireland's early inhabitants. It was a strategic spot where the river, which was the main North-South route way, converged with the Eischir Riada, the major East-West land route through central Ireland. The significant strategic location formed part of the reason why St. Ciarán chose this location to set-up his monastery here.
History of Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise was founded by a group of monks from Wicklow in the 6th century AD. It was a center of learning and religion in Ireland up until the end of the 12th century. During its heyday, the monastery was the most important center of early Christian culture in Ireland, and its school attracted students from all over Europe.
The site was occupied until the 16th century, but all that remains are a few walls and round towers. It's believed that destruction of the site was brought about by Cromwell's army, who ransacked the monastery in the 17th century, as well as by the great river Shannon, which has been flooding the area for centuries, often washing away parts of the monastery.
Today, the ruins of the old monastery of Clonmacnoise stand on a grassy hill above the River Shannon. It's a place where you can still feel the presence of times past as you walk along silent cloisters, stare up at arches and pillars, and imagine what life was like for the monks who lived here almost 1000 years ago.
Buildings and Artefacts
The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches, two round towers, three high crosses, and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs.
Churches and Two Round Towers
Clonmacnoise
Few of the churches that formerly existed here are still intact. The cathedral,or Great Church, is the largest of these, having been constructed in an extravagant style with many Gothic characteristics around the beginning of the 11th century. Turlough O'Connor and his son Rory, Ireland's last high monarch, were buried here in 1156 and 1198, respectively. Other churches are those dedicated to Finian (Finghin), Conor (Connor), St. Ciaran, Kelly, Ri, and Dowling (Doolin). Clonmacnoise became a bishopric, and in 1568 the diocese was merged with that of Meath. The ruins of the churches, known as the Seven Churches of Clonmacnoise, and two 12th-century towers still survive and are protected as part of a national monument. An annual pilgrimage to Clonmacnoise is held on September 9th, the feast of St. Ciaran.
The Whispering Arch
According to folklore, this Gothic-style entryway leading to the Cathedral's north entrance, was previously a confessional. Both the priest and the penitent would face the wall on opposite sides of the entrance and whisper to the stone. Their voices were drifted around the bend of the door, unheard by anybody else. Over time, this became a gathering spot for couples to express their genuine sentiments to one another.
The Nuns' Church
Nuns' Church
The Nuns' Church was completed in AD 1167 for Derbforgaill, the daughter of the King of Mide. She is perhaps best remembered in history as a sort of Irish Helen of Troy. According to the more lurid accounts of the events that led to the Norman invasions of Ireland, Derbforgaill was abducted from her husband, the King of Breifne, by the King of Leinster, in 1152. This led to such a deep enmity and spiral of revenge that some believe resulted in the Normans coming to Ireland.
The Nuns' Church is in a field to the east of the main monastic complex and is one of the finest examples of Hiberno-Romanesque architecture in Ireland. Serpents, plants and highly stylised animal heads are all represented. If you have a keen eye, you might just spot a small romanesque sheela-na-gig type figure hidden in the decoration of the chancel arch.
High Crosses
One of three high crosses
Three historic enormous high crosses stand in a semi-circle around the Cathedral, although the ones on display today are reproductions. The originals are safely stored and on display inside the visitor center to avoid deterioration. The oldest of these is the North Cross, created c. AD 800 with iconography similar to that on the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow and bearing an image of the Celtic god Cernunnos. The South Cross depicts the crucifixion with the remainder of the cross covered in Celtic interlace. The spectacular Cross of the Scriptures, dating to 914 AD depicts scenes including the last day of Judgement and Christ in the Tomb; this cross is considered one of the most spectacular scripture crosses on the Island of Ireland. Experts suggest the crosses were originally painted. The original crosses are now on display in a purpose-built museum on site which you can view as part of your visit with replica crosses in the original locations outside.
The Clonmacnoise Cross Slabs
Clonmacnoise Grave Slab
Along with the high crosses, the remarkable collection of early Christian grave-slabs is a highlight of the visitor center. There are over 700 examples of cross slabs known to have associations with Clonmacnoise, making it the largest assemblage known from either Ireland or Britain. The earliest slabs date to the 7th century and generally feature a simple cross design. As time progressed, their designs developed and became more elaborate. The slabs are all carved from sandstone, with the stone believed to have been quarried nearby. The volume of slabs and the quality of carving suggests that there was a specialist school of stoneworkers at Clonmacnoise.
Wait, there's more...
Clonmacnoise
There is so much more to discover on your excursion to Clonmacnoise such as the ruins of several temples, a castle, the pilgrim path and historic graveyard, to name a few.
Irish Hotel Barges - Barging in Ireland
Hotel Barge Shannon Princess
Lower Shannon River
Up to 10 guests
Charters and Cabin cruises
Many interesting theme charters