The monastery of Clonmacnoise was founded in 544 by St. Ciarán from Rathcroghan. The large site of the former monastery includes the ruins of a cathedral and seven churches. There are two round towers and three high crosses left. Clonmacnoise was a very famous religious and cultural centre in Medieval times. In the 12th century the site began to decline due to a variety of reasons. In 1552 English troops destroyed Clonmacnoise. This prominent and famous high cross was commissioned by Flann Sinna, King of Ireland, and Abbot Colmán. It dates from app 900 A.D.