Name: Clones Round Tower, Church and High Cross
Rating: 5.0

Clones Round Tower, Church and High Cross

Clones Round Tower, Cara Street, Crossmoyle, Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland

1-90 Years

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Clones Round Tower, Church and High Cross form an exceptional, historic 6th-century monastic settlement positioned in the heart of Crossmoyle, Clones, in County Monaghan. Offering an educational, open-air day out, it ranks among the most fascinating historical things to do with kids in Monaghan, giving families a direct look at early Christian and Viking-era ruins. The multi-part destination features a remarkably intact 10th-century sandstone tower, a 12th-century ruined church, and a beautifully carved ancient market cross.

Admission to this state-owned National Monument in state guardianship is completely free for all adults, children, and family groups, providing a fantastic budget-friendly heritage excursion. Managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), there are no ticketing gates, admission fees, or pre-booked arrival time slots needed to explore the grounds. Families can wander through the ancient cemetery and examine the impressive medieval stonework completely at their own leisure.

If you are looking for an authentic spot for a family day out that seamlessly weaves together dark-age legends, Viking defensive architecture, and interactive outdoor walking, this complex is an ideal destination. It beautifully balances sprawling historic churchyards with town-centre accessibility, allowing energetic children to walk among monumental ruins. Parents will appreciate the deep educational value, the lack of commercial crowds, and the wonderful photo opportunities against Monaghan's skyline.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Features

Educational Day Out: The historic grounds allow children to connect real-world timelines, tracing the site from its 6th-century foundation by St. Tighernach to its 12th-century transformation into an Augustinian abbey.
Interactive Exhibits: The open-air, unguided layout lets children safely examine ancient mason marks and early building methods at their own pace.
Sensory Play: The peaceful, well-maintained cemetery enclosure provides natural sensory stimulation, filled with green grass, bird song, and textured stone surfaces.

Detailed Highlights

The 23-Metre Sandstone Round Tower: A towering 4-storey 10th-century structure designed with a simple lintelled doorway elevated 1.5 metres above the ground to keep monks safe during historic attacks. While its original conical roof cap is missing, it stands as an imposing landmark that sparks children's imaginations about medieval lookouts.
The Fragmented Clones High Cross: Situated nearby at the town Diamond, this remarkable monument consists of the head and shaft of two entirely different ancient stone crosses fitted together. It features elaborate biblical carvings that serve as an excellent visual tool for learning about early Christian craftsmanship.
The 12th-Century Augustinian Church: A ruined medieval nave-and-chancel church built around 1150 for the Augustinian Canons Regular, locally referred to as 'The Wee Abbey'. Its stone ruins offer an excellent, safe backdrop for kids to imagine old monastic life.
The Sarcophagus Tomb Shrine of St. Tighernach: Hidden within the cemetery close to the round tower sits a unique, house-shaped stone sarcophagus carved from a single massive block of stone. One gable features a historic carving of St. Tighernach with outstretched arms, providing a brilliant target for a kids' visual treasure hunt.
The Mortality Headstone Carvings: The surrounding 17th and 18th-century cemetery contains beautifully preserved headstones decorated with intricate carvings of skulls, crossed bones, hourglasses, and bells. These striking symbols offer older children a thrilling look into post-medieval regional art and customs.

Detailed Inventory

The 6th-Century Foundation Site: The ancient meadow landscape originally cleared by St. Tighernach, who was said to be baptised by St. Brigid at Kildare.
The 1.5m Elevated Security Doorway: The simple lintelled sandstone entrance built high up the tower walls to shield monastic riches from Viking raiders.
The Single Surviving East Cardinal Window: The lone remaining window out of the traditional four that once sat directly beneath the tower's conical cap.
The 1840s Excavation Floor: The ground section inside the round tower where Victorian researchers discovered ancient human remains beneath the debris.
The Abbey of Saints Peter and Paul Footprint: The expanded 1140s monastic layout that once safeguarded 'The Domhnach'—a legendary copy of the Gospels given by St. Patrick.
The Barret-Leonard Estate Boundary Wall: The 19th-century inherited estate boundary markers bordering the historic public viewing walkway.
The Clones Town Heritage Trail Signage: Interactive smartphone-scannable video signposts set up around the ruins to give families a digital commentary guide.

Facilities

Toilets: There are no public toilets or baby-changing facilities within the open-air monument boundaries. Clean public conveniences can be accessed in nearby town-centre businesses and cafes around the Diamond.
Buggy Parking & Accessibility: There is no dedicated indoor buggy parking area at this unguided site. While a dedicated public viewing walkway runs alongside the base of the tower, pushing strollers through the uneven turf, stone thresholds, and historic graveyard steps can be difficult, making a baby carrier highly recommended.
Lockers: No secure lockers or luggage storage desks are available at these open ruins. Families should carry light personal day packs.
Food Options: No commercial cafes or snack bars operate directly inside the historic site. Fortunately, the ruins sit directly beside the vibrant town centre, allowing families to walk straight into local artisan bakeries, deli-counters, and family-friendly cafes around Analore Street.

What to see

What Visitors Love

Completely free entry makes it an outstanding, zero-cost educational pitstop while exploring County Monaghan.
The high density of history—combining a massive tower, ruined abbey, and an intricate market cross—keeps kids fully engaged without long walks.
Scanning the smartphone trail codes turns the unguided walk into a fun, modern interactive scavenger hunt.
Spotting the skulls and hourglasses on the old tombstones adds a thrilling, spooky element that older kids love.

What Visitors Don't Like

The site lacks a dedicated visitor centre or on-site shelter, meaning a sudden rain shower can cut an outdoor visit short.
The lack of interior access to climb inside the 23-metre round tower can disappoint some eager young adventurers.

Targeted FAQ

Is Clones Round Tower worth it for toddlers?: Yes, it is worth a brief visit because it features wide, enclosed grassy spaces perfect for stretching small legs. However, because of the historic graves and uneven stone drops, close hand-holding or using a comfortable baby carrier is highly recommended.
How long does a visit to the monastic site take?: A standard family stroll around the tower, tomb shrine, and nearby cross takes between 30 and 45 minutes, making it a perfect historic pitstop.
Where is the best place to park for the ruins?: The most convenient option is to use the dedicated public street parking slots along Abbey Street or around the Diamond, located just steps away from the main graveyard entrance gate.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours daily
Seasonal Access: Open all year round, though daytime visits are strongly advised because the unguided ruins, cemetery pathways, and stone features are completely unlit at night.

Address: Clones Round Tower, Cara Street, Crossmoyle, Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland

Post Code: H23 VY90

Council: Monaghan County Coun

County: County Monaghan

By Bus: Regular regional Bus Éireann routes run directly from Monaghan Town to Clones. Disembark at the town centre stop, and it is a simple 3-minute walk towards Cara Street to find the tower.
By Car & Parking: From Monaghan Town, drive southwest along the N54 highway directly into Clones town centre. Upon entering the town, turn right onto Abbey Street immediately after spotting the tower to access public street parking options. Walk straight through the boundary gate into the graveyard to step onto the monument grounds.