Clones

Clones ( ; ) is a small town in western County Monaghan, Ireland. The area is part of the Border Region with Northern Ireland. Historically Clones was also spelt Clonis, Clonish and Clownish.Placenames Database of Ireland (see archival records) These are English language versions of the Irish Cluain Eois, meaning "Eos's meadow".

 History 
An abbey was built at Clones by Tigernach (also known as Tierney in English). It was built in the early 6th century. It was dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. The ruins of a 12th-century abbey building can still be found in the town. There is also a sarcophagus. They say it was built for Saint Tighearnach after he died. Clones also has a 9th-century round tower and high cross.

Ulster Canal restoration

The national inland waterways agency, Waterways Ireland, is planning to restore the Ulster Canal from the Newtownbutler area of Lough Erne to Clones.

 Sport 
Clones has a GAA stadium, St Tiernach's Park. This stadium is regularly used for inter-county matches during the Ulster provincial championship in Gaelic football, and traditionally hosts the final. 

 People 
 Birthplace of world featherweight champion boxer Barry McGuigan, 'The Clones Cyclone'.
 Author Patrick McCabe was born here. 
 Writer and playwright Eugene McCabe 
 Clones was the birthplace of poet Thomas Bracken, who wrote "God Defend New Zealand", one of the national anthems of New Zealand.
 General Joseph Finegan, who commanded the Confederate Army to victory at the 1864 Battle of Olustee in Florida during the American Civil War, was born at Clones on 17 November 1814.
 Birthplace of John Joseph Lynch (1816–1888), first Archbishop of Toronto (1860–1888).
 Burial place of Roger Boyle, at the church.
 Birthplace of John George Bowes, Mayor of Toronto (1851–1853).

 References 

 Other websites 

 Clones GAA 
 Clones History 

Category:Towns in Ireland
Category:County Monaghan