Monasterboice facts for kids
| Mainistir Bhuithe | |
Round tower, high cross, church and gravestones at Monasterboice
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 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Established | 5th century |
| Disestablished | 1097 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Saint Buithe (Saint Buithe mac Bronach) |
| Site | |
| Location | County Louth, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°46′39.53″N 6°25′02.43″W / 53.7776472°N 6.4173417°W |
| Public access | yes |
| Reference no. | 94 |
Monasterboice (Irish: Mainistir Bhuithe) is an ancient Christian monastery site in County Louth, Ireland. It is located just north of the town of Drogheda. Today, Monasterboice is a National Monument of Ireland. This means it is a very important historical site protected by the country. The nearby village is also named after this famous place.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Monasterboice comes from the Irish words Mainistir Bhuithe. This means "monastery of Buithe." The name "Boice" is the English way of saying "Buithe." It was also spelled Monasterboye and Monasterboyse a long time ago.
A Look Back in Time
Founding of the Monastery
The Monasterboice monastery was started in the late 5th century. It was founded by a person known as Saint Buithe. He passed away around the year 521.
Life at the Monastery
Not much is known about the daily life at Monasterboice. We do have a list of its abbots, who were the leaders of the monastery. This list covers the years from 759 to 1122. A famous poet and historian named Flann Mainistrech, also known as Flann of Monasterboice, was a teacher there.
Decline and Later Use
The monastery began to decline after 1142. This was when the Cistercian Mellifont Abbey was built nearby. By the 13th century, a local church was being used at the site.
What You Can See Today
The Monasterboice site has several old structures. These include the remains of two churches. These churches were built in the 14th century or later. There is also an older round tower. But the site is most famous for its amazing high crosses.
The Round Tower
The round tower at Monasterboice is about 28 metres (92 feet) tall. It is in very good condition. It was probably built soon after the year 968. The tower was damaged in a fire in 1098.
The High Crosses
There are three famous high crosses at Monasterboice. They were made in the 10th century. These crosses are known as "scriptural crosses." This means they show scenes from the Bible.
Muiredach's High Cross
The most famous cross is Muiredach's High Cross. It stands about 5.5 metres (18 feet) tall. Many people consider it the finest high cross in all of Ireland. It is named after an abbot, Muiredach mac Domhnaill, who died in 923. This cross has detailed carvings from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
Other Notable Crosses
The North and West crosses are also great examples of these structures. However, they have been damaged more by the weather over time. A copy of Muiredach's High Cross can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Visiting Monasterboice
Today, the Monasterboice site is owned by the National Monuments Service. It is open for everyone to visit and explore. People still use the graveyard around the ruins for burials even now.
Gallery
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North church and West Cross
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Muiredach's Cross
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West Cross, close-up
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North Cross, close-up
See also
In Spanish: Mainistir Bhuithe (Monasterboice) para niños
