Cloyne (Irish: Cluain)[2] is a small town located to the southeast of Midleton in eastern County Cork, Ireland.

The bishopric of Cloyne was founded by St. Colman Mac Léníne, (530–606 A.D.) as his principal monastery in the sixth century.

[8] The origin legend Conall Corc and the Corco Loígde claims that the land for the foundation of the monastery was not given by the local king, but by Coirpre mac Crimthainn (d. c. 580 A.D.), who was king of Munster from the Eóganacht Glendamnach:[9] The Danes plundered Cloyne in 822, 824 and again in 885 when, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, the Abbot and Prior of the monastery were killed.

The Annals of Inisfallen mention that in 978 A.D. the people of Ossory plundered Cloyne and that in 1088 A.D. Diarmait Ua Briain devastated it.

The volunteers at first failed to gain entry but succeed in setting fire to the building, which resulted in the entire surrender of the garrison.

The prisoners had their hands tied before being ordered to march the road to Midleton while the flying column made their escape.

[14] The town is located at the bottom of a valley and is surrounded by large hills to the North and South as well as the Celtic Sea to the East and Cork Harbour to the West.

[citation needed] Rainfall averages around 1041 mm (41.5 in) per annum, with the wettest weather usually occurring between October and January.

[17] The local Roman Catholic church, St. Colmans, was built in 1815 and celebrates Mass every day of the week.