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| REAR VIEW OF CLONMACNOIS, KING'S COUNTY. -The interesting ruins of Clonmacnois, or "the Seven Churches," founded by St. Kierna, A. D. 548, are situated in the King's county, on the left bank of the Shannon, a few miles above its confluence with the Suck. Irish antiquaries differ as to the Gaelic origninal of the name - some holding that it was written Cluain-mac-nois, meaning the "Secluded Recess of the Sons of Nobles;" while Professor Joyce scouts both orthography and interpretation, holding that it was written Cluain-maccu-Nois - meaning the "Meadow of the Sons of Nos." The first interpretation is the more romantic, and it is certain that Clonmacnois was, for ages, the Alma Mater of the native nobility of Ireland. Remains of the seven churches, some of them in fairly good state of preservation, are still to be seen. There are, beside, two round towers and some exquisitely carved Celtic crosses, some of which will be shown in future pictures. The accompanying view is taken from the rear of the ruins, and shows the walls of some of the old churches. The round tower, roofless and leaning from the perpendicular, is called "O'Ruarc's." Tradition says that the relics of Roderick O'Conor, last native King of Ireland, repose within the precincts of the Great Church. The ancient graveyard contains the dust of many a prince and chief, and it is popularly believed that the souls of persons buried there go straight to Paradise. |
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