6 (40) Saint Ciarán Ciarán and his followers erected a wooden church on this spot, but this was all he would ever experience from this future Christian centre. He died of a plague seven months later. The site's historical and archaeological importance is underlined by several Early Christian buildings. In addition there is a large churchyard with a great number of graves from different epochs. The buildings are in a remarkably good condition and may testify to what the Irish monasteries looked like during their time of prosperity. The name Clonmacnoise (Irish: Cluain Mhic Nóis) may be translated as "the meadows of the sons of Nó."   5 7 First published: Friday 20th December, 2002 Send a to the author! You may also use this form