Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise, Irish Cluain Mhic Nóis, also spelled Cluain Moccu Nóis,  early Christian centre on the left bank of the River Shannon, County Offaly, central Ireland. It lies about 70 miles (110 km) west of Dublin. Clonmacnoise was the earliest and foremost Irish monastic city after the foundation of an abbey there by St. Ciaran about 545. It had become an important centre of learning by the 9th century, and several books of annals were compiled there. The cathedral, or Great Church, was founded about 900 and rebuilt in the 14th century. Other churches are those dedicated to Finian (Finghin), Conor (Connor), St. Ciaran, Kelly, Ri, and Dowling (Doolin). Clonmacnoise became a bishopric, and in 1568 the diocese was merged with that of Meath. The ruins of the churches, known as the Seven Churches of Clonmacnoise, and two 12th-century towers still survive and are protected as part of a national monument. An annual pilgrimage to Clonmacnoise is held on September 9, the feast of St. Ciaran. Attesting to the city’s historic and religious importance, Pope John Paul II visited the town during his trip to Ireland in 1979. Pop. (2011) 337.

Aspects of the topic Clonmacnoise are discussed in the following places at Britannica.

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Clonmacnoise - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)

Clonmacnoise is the site of a famous religious center on the left bank of the River Shannon in County Offaly, Ireland. A number of churches, two round towers, high crosses, and grave slabs can still be seen at Clonmacnoise. It is an important place in the history of early Christian Europe.

Clonmacnoise - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

The earliest and foremost Irish monastic city was Clonmacnoise, a Christian center on the left bank of the River Shannon, in County Offaly, central Ireland. The city’s ruins are now a tourist attraction. Clonmacnoise was established about 545, when St. Ciaran founded an abbey there. By the 9th century Clonmacnoise had become an important center of learning, and several books of annals were compiled there. The cathedral, or Great Church, was founded about 900 and was rebuilt in the 14th century. Other churches of the center are dedicated to Finian (Finghin), Conor (Connor), St. Ciaran, Kelly, Ri, and Dowling (Doolin). Clonmacnoise became a bishopric, and in 1568 the diocese was merged with that of Meath.