Clones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clones
Cluain Eois
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Town
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 Clones
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Monaghan |
| Elevation | 106 m (348 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Irish Grid Reference | N802041 |
Clones (pronounced KLOH-nis) is a small town in the western part of County Monaghan, Ireland. Its name comes from the Irish words Cluain Eois, which means "Eos's meadow." About 2,500 people live in Clones. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland.
Contents
Discovering Clones' Past
What is the History of Clones?
Clones has a very long and interesting history. An abbey, which is a type of monastery, was built here in the early 6th century. It was founded by a saint named Tigernach, also known as Tierney. This abbey was dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Today, you can still see the ruins of a 12th-century abbey building in the town. There is also an old stone coffin, called a sarcophagus, which people say was made for Saint Tighearnach after he passed away. Clones is also home to a tall, ancient round tower and a beautiful high cross, both from the 9th century. These old structures tell us a lot about the town's early days.
Reviving the Ulster Canal
Why is the Ulster Canal Important?
The Ulster Canal is an old waterway that used to connect different parts of Ireland. Waterways Ireland, the national agency for inland waterways, is working to bring part of this canal back to life. They plan to restore the canal from the Newtownbutler area of Lough Erne all the way to Clones. This restoration will help connect communities and might bring more visitors to the area.
Sports in Clones
What Sports are Popular in Clones?
Clones is a big place for GAA sports, especially Gaelic football. The town has a large stadium called St Tiernach's Park. This stadium is often used for important matches between different counties during the Ulster provincial championship. It's a tradition for the final match of this championship to be held right here in Clones.
Famous People from Clones
Who are Some Notable People from Clones?
Many interesting people have come from Clones:
- Barry McGuigan: He is a famous boxer who was born in Clones. He was a world featherweight champion and was known as 'The Clones Cyclone'.
- Patrick McCabe: A well-known author who grew up in Clones.
- Eugene McCabe: Another talented writer and playwright from the town.
- Thomas Bracken: He was a poet born in Clones. He wrote "God Defend New Zealand", which is one of the national anthems of New Zealand.
