Conservation
View of Clonmacnoise, 1955
This is how Clonmacnoise looked in 1955. As you can see from the overgrown graveyard, the site was not well maintained.
© Lensmen Photographic Archive.View of Clonmacnoise, 1955
© Lensmen Photographic Archive.
© Lensmen Photographic Archive.
View of Clonmacnoise, 1955
This is how Clonmacnoise looked in 1955. As you can see from the overgrown graveyard, the site was not well maintained.
© Lensmen Photographic Archive.There are many heritage sites like Clonmacnoise across the country. It is important to look after these sites, as they tell us much about our past. The Office of Public Works (OPW) took charge of Clonmacnoise in 1955.
Take a look at the photo on the right. This picture was taken in 1955. Can you see how overgrown the grass in the graveyard was at that time?
View of the Graveyard at Clonmacnoise
A large part of the grounds at Clonmacnoise were used for buriels. Two High Kings of Ireland are buried there.
View of the Graveyard at Clonmacnoise
View of the Graveyard at Clonmacnoise
A large part of the grounds at Clonmacnoise were used for buriels. Two High Kings of Ireland are buried there.
Since the 1950s, the site has been properly maintained and much preservation work has been carried out there.
Here is another photograph of how the site looks today. What differences do you notice between the two photos?
Grave Slab at Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise has a very large collection of grave slabs from about the eighth to the twelfth centuries. This grave slab can be viewed in the interpretative centre. The inscription reads: 'A prayer for the servant of Michael.'
Grave Slab at Clonmacnoise
Grave Slab at Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise has a very large collection of grave slabs from about the eighth to the twelfth centuries. This grave slab can be viewed in the interpretative centre. The inscription reads: 'A prayer for the servant of Michael.'
Important monuments, like the high crosses, were removed from their original positions in the grounds of Clonmacnoise and moved indoors. In 1993, an interpretative centre was opened up and the original crosses were put on display there. Convincing replicas were erected outside.