clonmacnois churches

The centre-piece of the new Interpretative Centre is the 9th century Cross of the Scriptures, which was removed in 1991 from its original position west of the Cathedral. The former east face of the cross bears probable scenes from the Book of Genesis, the Tradition Legis and Christ in Judgement. The west face shows scenes from the Passion and Death of Christ as well as the Crucifixion. The sides and base of the cross bear further scenes, not always easy to interpret. The tallest building on the site of the old monastery is the Round Tower, said to have been built by Fergal O'Rourke who died in 964 and restored after it had been struck by lightning in 1334. The Cathedral was restored by Abbot Colman Mac Aillel and the High King, Flann Sinna, around 910 and again by Cormac son of Conor and Flaherty O'Lynch between 1080 and 1104.

The building has antae and parts of a Romanesque west doorway which was later replaced by another doorway in the 15th century. The chancel was divided into three vaulted chapels probably in the 15th century. Roderick O'Conor, last High King of Ireland, was buried in the sacristy in 1198, but the present sacristy was not built until about the 17th century; it is at present locked, and contains miscellaneous architectural fragments. The church was repaired in 1330, and in 1460 Dean Odo inserted the fine north doorway with the figures of St. Francis. St. Patrick and St. Dominic. In 1552 the English from Athlone invaded it, but it was repaired again in 1647 by the then Vicar-General, Charles Coghlan. To the north of the Cathedral is the stump of the North Cross, largely decorated with geometrical motifs and not standing in its original position. There are two churches to the south of the Cathedral.

The western church is divided into two; the western part, known as Temple Doolin, had antae and a round-headed east window, and was restored in 1689 by Edward Dowling who inserted a new door. Temple Hurpan was added to the eastern end of Temple Doolin in the 17th century. Standing in front of Temple Doolin is the South Cross bearing a Crucifixion on the west face of the shaft. To the east of this church lies Teampull Ri or Teampull Melaghin, a fine church built around 1200, with fine lancet east windows and a gallery at the western end. The south door was inserted later, possibly in the 16th century. Retracing our steps to the Cathedral, the traces of the 12th century Temple Kelly can be seen to the north-east of it, and to the east-north-east lies the smallest church at Clonmacnois.

This is a diminutive oratory with antae which is much mutilated; St. Ciaran is said to have been buried in the north-eastern corner. Two crosiers were found in the oratory. Further down the slope is Teampull Connor, said to have been built in 1010 when it was endowed with lands by Cathal O'Connor. The west doorway and south window are original; it is locked, and is occasionally used for Church of Ireland divine service. Further to the north-east, at the edge of the cemetery, is Teampull Finghin, a fine nave-and-chancel church with traces of a Romanesque south doorway and a fine romanesque chancel arch beside which a small but well-preserved Round Tower was built as part of the church. To the east of the church is a new Catholic altar built in 1969. From the Cathedral an 11th century stone-lined causeway leads eastwards out through the east gate of the cemetery, and by following a tarred road further eastwards for about 300 yards the visitor can go over a stile to the right and reach the Nuns' Church. A church stood on the site before 1026, but the present church was completed in 1166. It is a fine nave-and-chancel Romanesque church with decorative doorway and chancel arch. The door-way has four orders with the capitals adorned with a number of terrifying beasts. The chancel arch is of three orders and is heavily decorated with heads, interlacing etc. The church was restored in 1867. Dervogilla, wife of Tighernan O'Rourke of Breffny, who was carried off by Dermot McMurrough and thus became indirectly responsible for the Norman invasion, retired here as a penitent in 1170. In a field to the west of the car-park is a Norman castle built around 1212 on site of an Abbot's house which had been burned in 1135, and the abbot was given compensation for damage done to his lands and gardens by the construction of the castle. The remains consist of a gateway, a courtyard and a tower which fell over as a result of an explosion.