Beginning in the dark ages, Clonmacnoise became a place where Christianity and scholarship prospered and grew. A vast monastic settlement thrived here, with a scriptorium of unequalled craftsmanship, where education, teaching and the arts were revered and where the classics were greatly prized and preserved. Knowledge and learning that went on to be taken to Europe as the Gospels were spread abroad by Celtic Christian monks.
From its beginnings, it enjoyed the confidence of the Irish bishops and the favour of kings and princes who were happy to be buried in the shadow of St Ciarán. Clonmacnoise endured many struggles through the ages. Towards the close of the seventh century plague carried off a large number of its students and professors, and in the eighth century the monastery was burned three times, for the buildings were mainly of wood.
Despite many raids and sackings, plunderings, plagues and burnings, it is astonishing that so much of Clonmacnoise and its treasures endure to this day. (The above was taken from The Story of Clonmacnoise and St. Ciarán by O’Carroll and Felton).
Such a lovely setting here with the Shannon River in the background. It was very peaceful and I can imagine it being a place of intense study and reflection.
Birr Castle is in the town of Birr (County Offaly) and is home to the seventh Earl of Rosse. While the actual castle is not open to the public the lovely gardens are. There has been a castle on the site since 1170 and from the 14th to the 17th century the O’Carroll family ruled the area from their home in the castle.
There is a huge astronomical telescope, the oldest wrought iron bridge in Ireland (1820), box hedges that are over 300 years old and a nice children’s area that has a very cool tree house.
Birr Castle was definitely worth a view but, for me, Clonmacnoise was the winner of the day for its atmosphere and beauty.
