Students of the MUISS will participate in a field seminar at one of the most complete religious complexes of medieval Ireland, the great monastery at Clonmacnoise. Although reputedly founded in 548 AD by Ciarán most of the remains (high crosses, round tower, churches, early medieval graves) date to the period between 900-1100 AD. Clonmacnoise became one of the most powerful, wealthy and influential monastic centres in Ireland on an important 'crossroads' where the Slí Mór and the River Shannon meet. Arriving by boat to Clonmacnoise, students will then explore its various remains of high crosses, church ruins and round tower along with the wider landscape. Since the early medieval period Clonmacnoise has been an important centre of Christian pilgrimage and spiritual devotion. From here, we will travel to the northern midlands to explore the 2nd c BC oak trackway discovered in the bog at Corlea, Co. Longford.
