Clonard Abbey facts for kids
Clonard Abbey (which means "Erard's Meadow" in Irish) was a very old monastery in Ireland. It was built a long time ago, during the medieval period. You can find its remains near the River Boyne in a place called Clonard, in County Meath.
Contents
The Start of Clonard Abbey
How Saint Finnian Founded the Monastery
Clonard Abbey was started around the year 520. A holy man named Saint Finnian founded it. At first, he only built a small hut there. Stories from long ago say that an angel guided Finnian to this spot. The angel told him it was a special place.
Finnian had traveled a lot and learned many things. He used his knowledge to set up the monastery. He wanted it to be a place for learning and prayer. Saint Finnian passed away around 549 and was buried at the site.
Famous Students at Clonard
During the 500s, Clonard became a very important school. Some of the most famous early Irish Christian leaders studied there. These twelve students later became known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. They helped spread Christianity across Ireland.
Why Clonard Was Important
Clonard was in a great location. It was on the Esker Riada, which was the main road in Ireland back then. This made it easy for people to reach the monastery. However, it was also on the border between two kingdoms, Leinster and Meath. These kingdoms sometimes fought.
By the 8th century, different powerful families started to control Clonard. By the mid-800s, it was the most important church in the middle of Ireland. The leader of Clonard, called the abbot of Clonard, guided the churches in the midlands. This was similar to how the abbot of Armagh led churches in the north.
At its busiest, a song written about Finnian said that the monastery's school had 3,000 students! They were all learning about religion at the same time.
Attacks and Fires at the Abbey
Life at Clonard Abbey was not always peaceful.
- In 764, a large part of the abbey burned down.
- Like many monasteries in Ireland, Clonard suffered from Viking raids. Vikings were fierce warriors from other lands.
- In 838, the Danes (a group of Vikings) attacked Clonard. They destroyed it and killed many of the clergy (religious leaders).
- The Danes returned again in 888.
- In 939, King Ceallachan of Cashel, with help from the Danes of Waterford, robbed the abbey.
- In 970, Donell, son of Murcha, attacked and burned Clonard.
Clonard as a Diocese
Becoming a Center for Bishops
In 1111, at the Synod of Ráth Breasail, Clonard became the center of a new bishopric. This meant it was the main place for a bishop to lead several churches. Other bishoprics like Trim and Slane were added to it. This showed how important Clonard was. This decision was confirmed at the Synod of Kells in 1152.
More Attacks and Decline
- In 1113, Connor, the King of Munster, attacked Meath. He took all the riches that people had stored for safety in the abbey church.
- In 1143, a fire accidentally destroyed a big part of the abbey and its entire library.
- In 1170, the abbey and town were attacked and burned again. This time, it was by M'Murcha, helped by Earl Strongbow and the English.
- After being rebuilt, it was destroyed again in 1175.
- That same year, Walter, son of Hugh de Lacy, built a new Augustinian monastery. He probably built it on the ruins of the old abbey.
Clonard started to become less important during the 12th century. In 1202, a Norman bishop named de Rochfort moved the bishopric from Clonard to Trim. This new area became the Diocese of Meath.
Today, very little of the original Clonard Abbey remains. If you look from above, you can still see the faint outlines of old walls and earthworks (changes made to the land).
Images for kids
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An old church at the Clonard monastery site
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A stained glass window showing the monastery being built
See also
In Spanish: Abadía de Clonard para niños
