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Clonmacnoise
[Ed. Note  Information submitted by a Claffey cousin----Richard David Claffey]

    The attached picture is of a religious complex in the County of OFFALY in central
    Ireland.  It is called "CLONMACNOISE" (Cluain Mhic Nois as it is known in old
    Gaelic).  It is known as one of the oldest ( if not  the oldest) Christian churches in
    Ireland.

    It was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 A. D.  The Monastic City flourished as a
    religious and scholastic center until it's destruction in the sixteenth century.

    Many of the countries Kings, Saints and Scholars are buried here including St. Ciaran,
    the last High King of Ireland.

    Situated on a bend of the Shannon River, the ruins of  Clonmacnoise include two
    round towers, eight churches and a cathedral.  One of the eight churches is the
    "CLAFFEY" Church. It is the one in the foreground to the right.  These churches
    were built by various wealthy families in the area here.  There are many carved
    gravestones and the oldest of several of Ireland's famed Celtic High Crosses.  These
    are crosses within a circle and decorated with Biblical scenes and imaginary beasts.
        You can see several in the foreground of the picture.  Clonmacnoise is thought to be
    the source of theses Celtic High Crosses of Ireland.

    Thought you might enjoy this piece of family history.  As  George Santayana said
    "He who does not know the past is  doomed to repeat it."

    If you chase things on the Internet, you can work your way to this site starting from
    www.ireland-information.com

    Brent Claffey has a list of Claffey burials at Clonmacnoise on his web page 
    "Claffey Connections". Click on the twirling Blue Ball to see this list.

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This page was last modified:Monday, 19-Feb-2001 08:03:42 MST