Clonard Abbey

[citation needed] Clonard was situated on the Esker Riada, Ireland's main east-west road in early medieval times, adding to its prominence.

[4] During its heyday, a hymn written in Finnian's honour claimed that the monastery's school housed 3,000 pupils receiving religious instruction at any given time.

[7] From the Synod of Ráth Breasail (1111), it was the centre of the new see of Clonard, to which, were added the bishoprics of Trim, Ardbraccan, Dunshaughlin, and Slane, indicating its importance at the time.

In 1113, Connor, King of Munster, plundered Meath and forcibly carried off the riches of the whole province, which had been lodged for safety in the abbey church.

The abbey and town were despoiled and burnt in 1170, by M'Murcha, aided by Earl Strongbow and the English, and having been afterwards rebuilt, they suffered a similar fate in the year 1175.

Disused Anglican church at the monastic site of Clonard
The construction of the monastery in a stained glass window of the church of St. Finian in Clonard
Clonard Abbey Ruins, sketched by Austin Cooper, 1794
Clonard's Baptismal Font, sketched by William Wilde in 1849, now installed at the Church of St. Finian, Clonard