Friday, 17th of August 2001:    Corrandulla - Clonmacnoise - Dublin

The last day of our tour through Ireland and therefore the final slide of this show. On our way back to Dublin we visited the monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise, located on the bank of the Shannon river, in central Ireland.

Until the first half of the 16th century Clonmacnoise was one of Europe's most important monasteries. However, in 1534 the protestant English king Henry the Third (who ruled over Ireland at that time) prohibited Catholicism. Under his command many monasteries, including those at Clonmacnoise, Glendalough and Cashel, were demolished. Therefore only the monastic ruins remained.

At the picture below you see one of the three Celtic High Crosses at Clonmacnoise. The high crosses are characterized by inscriptions which depict biblical stories. It has to be told that the high cross I photographed is just a replica. You will find the real one in the exhibition center, adjacent to the ruins. Inside the cross is protected against the influences of wind and weather.

After our visit to Clonmacnoise we continued our drive towards Dublin. The next day we made al long trip back home.