Clonard, County Meath
Encyclopedia
Clonard is a small village in County Meath
, Ireland
. It lies on the R148
regional road
between the towns of Kinnegad
and Enfield
. This road was the main road between Dublin and Galway
until the construction of the M4 motorway - it is still used by traffic avoiding the toll on the M4.
It is notable for being one of the earliest Christian sites in Ireland, being linked with the first Irish bishop Palladius
c.450 and as the location of a major early medieval monastery
, founded in the 6th century by St. Finnian
.
A 12th century motte
, the remains of a Norman
fortification, is a well-known landmark in the village.
Common family names to be found in the local catholic church graveyard are Gannon and Mitchell.
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It lies on the R148
R148 road
The R148 road is one of Ireland's regional roads which was classified following the opening of a by-passed national primary road.The section of the old N4 which has been by-passed by the M4 motorway was reclassified R148. The R148 runs from Dublin to Kinnegad in County Westmeath.The road is long...
regional road
Regional road
A regional road in Ireland is a class of road not forming a major route , but nevertheless forming a link in the national route network. There are over 11,600 kilometres of regional roads. Regional roads are numbered with three digit route numbers, prefixed by "R" A regional road in Ireland is a...
between the towns of Kinnegad
Kinnegad
Kinnegad or Kinagad is a town in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is near the border with County Meath, at the junction of the N6 and the N4 - two of Ireland's main east-west roads...
and Enfield
Enfield, County Meath
Enfield or Innfield is a town in south County Meath, Ireland, situated between Kilcock and Kinnegad and very close to the border with County Kildare...
. This road was the main road between Dublin and Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
until the construction of the M4 motorway - it is still used by traffic avoiding the toll on the M4.
Palladius
Palladius was the first Bishop of the Christians of Ireland, preceding Saint Patrick. The Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion consider Palladius a saint.-Armorica:...
c.450 and as the location of a major early medieval monastery
Clonard Abbey
Clonard Abbey was an early medieval monastery situated on the River Boyne, just beside the traditional boundary line of the northern and southern halves of Ireland in modern County Meath...
, founded in the 6th century by St. Finnian
Finnian of Clonard
Saint Finnian of Clonard , or Finian, 'Fionán' or 'Fionnán' in Irish, was one of the early Irish monastic saints, who founded Clonard Abbey in modern-day County Meath. The Twelve Apostles of Ireland studied under him...
.
A 12th century motte
Motte-and-bailey
A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade...
, the remains of a Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
fortification, is a well-known landmark in the village.
Common family names to be found in the local catholic church graveyard are Gannon and Mitchell.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland