Faith and Fortress: The Anglo Norman Castle at Clonmacnoise

Education Hub @ Clonmacnoise Visitor Centre, Co. Offaly
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21 August 2025
Overview

Originally built in 1214 as a royal fortification, now abandoned and overlooked, join Dr. Kieran O’Conor for a free guided tour of the rarely accessible Anglo-Norman castle overlooking the historic monastic site of Clonmacnoise. Once a place of peace and devotion, this landscape later found itself overshadowed by military presence. Dive into the Anglo-Norman struggle to hold this position, the Gaelic Irish resistance and the reasoning as to why it was situated at Clonmacnoise. Discover how the architecture reflects both ambition and anxiety, while also echoing determination and fearlessness. This is a free event email clonmacnoise@opw.ie to reserve your free ticket. Assemble at the Education Hub (across from the visitor centre) from 13:45. This is an outdoor event over uneven ground.

Address
Education Hub @ Clonmacnoise Visitor Centre, Co. Offaly

53.3264261, -7.9843391

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