Situated on the River Shannon, south of Athlone, the monastery of Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis in Irish, meaning "Meadow of the Sons of Nós") was founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán, one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. The strategic location helped it become a major centre of religion, learning, craftsmanship, and trade by the 9th century and together with Clonard it was the most famous in Ireland, visited by scholars from all over Europe.
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