Monastic Foundations Where Leinster formerly contained (according to Ware, 1654) some forty-four religious foundations of various descriptions. A short account of the more important of these may commence with Clonmacnois, which is situated on the banks of the Shannon some nine miles from Athlone, Offaly. One of the most interesting early monastic settlements in western Europe, it was founded in A.D.. 547 by St. Ciaran, and rapidly grew in importance, becoming one of the greatest of the Irish monastic schools. Many famous ... Read More