st kieran s church

Built on a miniature scale, these ruins remained undiscovered until 1876. St. Kevin was a close friend of St. Kieran. When hearing of Kieran's impending death he hastened to Clonmacnoise to be with his friend to the end, but he arrived too late and found Kieran laid out for burial. However, by heavenly dispensation Kieran's beatified spirt returned to his body so that he could bid farewell to his dearest friend. Kieran died in 547 AD at the age of 33, just seven months after founding his famous monastery on the banks of the Shannon. On his return Kevin founded this church in Kieran's honour, though it is possible the present remains may have replaced the original structure around the ninth century.