Lost and Found

 From The Abbey of Misrule:

Clonmacnoise sits on the banks of the Shannon at what was once a strategic crossing point. Because of its location, and the political support of the High King of Ireland, it became in its day a wealthy and important site. More than a simple monastery, it was in effect a town, inhabited not only by monks but by many laypeople and, especially, scholars. Like many other early Irish monasteries, Clonmacnoise became famous for its scholarship, manuscript production and astonishing stone and metalwork. (Read more.)