churches historical around west offaly

This great monastery was founded in 548-9 by St. Ciaran, who sought peace here when he abandoned his cell on Hare Island in Lough Ree. Dermot, a local prince, helped him erect the first posts for his church and, when Dermot was elected High King shortly afterwards, he richly endowed the monastery. Although St. Ciaran did not live long after the foundation, the monastery grew rapidly. It was plundered six times between 834 and 1012, and burned 26 times between 841 and 1204. In 845 Turgesius,...