Ireland; Co. Offlay; ruins of Clonmacnoise (former monastery): image of Cernunnos; Celtic God of hunting and fertility; on North Cross (inside museum; original). The North Cross is the oldest of the three high crosses in Clonmacnoise; built around 800 AD. Only the limestone shaft remained. The base; before was a millstone. Decoration is non-Christian. Image of Cernunnos is on the east face of the shaft. Foto taken from original north cross in the interpretive centre (museum) of the visitor centre. The monastery of Clonmacnoise; irish Cluain Mhic N骾s; "Meadow of the Sons of N髎"; or irish Cluain Muccu N骾s; "Meadow of the Pigs of N髎"; was founded in 544 or 548 AD by St. Ciar醤 ((c. 516 - c. 549 or 552) and seven following monks; who died soon after most probably caused by pestilentia. The monastery became famous for its scriptorium. here; The Book of the Dun Cow (German: Buch der dunkelfarbenen Kuh); the oldest writing in old irish language; was realized. In 1979; Pope John Paul II visited Clonmacnoise. From 9th to 12th century; the monastery was strongly tied with the kings of Meath. Lots of high kings of Tara and Connacht were buried here. From 10th to 16th century; the monastery was continously extended. Within 400 years; Vikings and Normans; often sailing via Shannon river; raided the monastery. The time of Clonmacnoise ended in 1552; when english soldiers of the nearby garrison in Athlone burned and destroyed everything. Most important in Clonmacnoise are the round towers and High Crosses. Open air; there are replicas of the high crosses; only. The original three high crosses are conserved in the museum (interpretive centre) of the visitor centre. Clonmacnoise is as well connected with the beautiful "Helena of Ireland"; Derbforgaill. She constructed; in 1167; the nun`s church; 500 m away from the monastery of the male monks. She is reflected also in the famous annals of Clonmacnoise; written around 1480. Analogue to the Troja saga of Homer; she became