# Clonmacnoise

> Clonmacnoise in County Offaly, near Athlone, was founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán, where the major east-west overland route meets the River Shannon.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/clonmacnoise/

A monastic site beside the River Shannon with high crosses, round towers and the remains of several small churches. Visit in the morning light and wear waterproof shoes, as the grounds are open fields and can be wet.

Clonmacnoise in County Offaly, near Athlone, was founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán, where the major east-west overland route meets the River Shannon. From the 8th to the 12th century the monastic settlement was an important centre of learning and art; in the 11th century an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people lived there. Surviving are the ruins of several churches, a cathedral, two round towers and three high crosses. The Cross of the Scriptures (around 900), made of sandstone, shows biblical scenes; the original is now in the visitor centre.

The site was attacked repeatedly, at least 27 times by the Irish, seven times by the Vikings and six times by the Normans; in 1552 the English garrison at Athlone destroyed it for good. Today the Office of Public Works looks after the ruins, and there has been a visitor centre since 1993. Allow about two hours, wear weatherproof shoes and ideally go early in the day.

- **Nearest town:** Shannonbridge, Ireland
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 53.3260, -7.9860

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **Ireland: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels.** Drive on the left. Barrier-free toll on the M50 around Dublin. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Clonmacnoise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonmacnoise)
- [Heritage Ireland: Clonmacnoise (Besucherführer)](https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2026/04/7565-OPW-Clonmacnoise-A5-visitor-guide_ENG_LR.pdf)

## Nearby

- [Dunguaire Castle](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b15-dunguaire-castle/) – 66 km
- [Galway Latin Quarter](https://camping-spirit.com/places/galway-latin-quarter/) – 71 km
- [Poulnabrone Dolmen](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b15-poulnabrone/) – 83 km
- [Trim Castle](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b6-trim-castle/) – 83 km

## FAQs

### Where is Clonmacnoise?

Clonmacnoise is in Shannonbridge, Ireland, at GPS 53.3260, -7.9860. It is about 67 km from Kinvara.

### Can you camp near Clonmacnoise?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lough Ree East Caravan and Camping, about 15 km away; within 25 km there are 1 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Clonmacnoise?

Places worth a stop nearby: Dunguaire Castle (66 km), Galway Latin Quarter (71 km), Poulnabrone Dolmen (83 km) and Trim Castle (83 km).

### When is the best time to visit Clonmacnoise?

No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)