Clonmacnoise - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Clonmacnoise is a ruined monastery situated in County Offaly in Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone, founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán, a young man from Rathcroghan, County Roscommon. The wooden castle that stood on the top of the motte at Clonmacnoise was destroyed by fire and later in 1214 the Justiciar of Ireland, Henry of London, built a stone castle on the motte.

Mongan Bog is an excellent example of a midland raised bog. It is a valuable addition to the growing network of peatland reserves. The bog is believed to be 9,000 years old and has formed in a basin between two east-west trending eskers. A larger area is protected for its birdlife as a Special Protection Area: Mongan Bog SPA covers 1,843 ha and is also an Important Bird Area.

The Meehambee Dolmen is a megalithic portal tomb dating from about 3500 BC located in County Roscommon, Ireland. Dating back to about 3500 B.C., it will impress you with its size and picturesque setting on the edge of the forest. The capstone is estimated to weigh twenty-four tonnes. The portal stone supporting the back of the capstone has collapsed, allowing the capstone to slide backwards out of position, causing the doorstone to collapse also. The capstone now rests at a 45-degree angle.

Clonfert Cathedral is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Clonfert. It stands on the grounds where St Brendan founded a monastery in the 6th century. The monastery was a thriving centre of learning for centuries and at one time it is estimated there were 3,000 monks based at Clonfert. The current building was erected in the 12th century at the site of an earlier 6th century church founded by Saint Brendan, which was associated with a monastery he founded and at which he was buried.

This is a traditional Irish pub located in the heart of Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Sean's Bar has a rich history and is officially Ireland's oldest pub. It is notable for its reputed establishment in 900AD, and claim to being the oldest extant bar in both Ireland and Europe. Other architectural and archaeological records, including the Record of Monuments and Places and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, date the building to the 17th or 18th century.

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Athlone is a Roman Catholic parish church situated in the town of Athlone, County Westmeath. The church was constructed between 1932–39, and stands on the banks of the River Shannon.It is notable for its stained glass windows, produced in the Harry Clarke workshop by Richard King.