Welcome to Monasterevin

Monasterevin is a charming townland in County Kildare, Ireland. Its name in Irish is "Mhainistir Eimhín" which means "Monastery of Eimhín". Now, who was Eimhín, you ask? Eimhín was a clever monk who started a monastic settlement here in the 6th century. That was a very, very long time ago - even before your great-great-great-grandparents were born!

This peaceful place was also home to a castle built by the Fitzgerald family, who were important people many years ago. You might think of a fairy-tale castle with tall towers and flags flying, but this one may not look like that anymore. But wouldn't it be fun to imagine knights and princesses living there?

Also, did you know that Monasterevin is known as 'The Venice of Ireland'? This is because of its many beautiful waterways. Imagine, small boats floating lazily, ducks quacking merrily, and the sun sparkling on the water – just like in the city of Venice in Italy!

Even though it's a small townland, Monasterevin has a big history. So, while it may not have dragons or superheroes, it's still a pretty cool place, don't you think?

  1. What does the Irish name "Mhainistir Eimhín" mean in English?
  2. Who was Eimhín and what did he start in Monasterevin?
  3. What family built a castle in Monasterevin?
  4. Why is Monasterevin known as 'The Venice of Ireland'?
  5. If you could add any fairy-tale character to the history of Monasterevin, who would it be and why?

All About Monasterevin

Monasterevin is a lovely town in County Kildare, Ireland. It's like a big, beautiful outdoor classroom just waiting for us to explore! One of the first things you'll notice is the River Barrow. It's a long, winding river that flows right through the town. It's like a snake, but don't worry, it's a friendly one! Many kinds of birds, like ducks and swans, love to swim here and you might even spot a playful otter.

The town is full of exciting streets, too. Moore Abbey Street is one of them, named after Moore Abbey, a grand old house with beautiful gardens. You might see colourful flowers, tall trees, and maybe even a squirrel or two!

Bell Harbour is another cool place where you can see boats bobbing on the water. It's a lovely place to take a walk or have a picnic.

The town is surrounded by lush green fields and farmland, which are home to many types of animals. You're likely to see cows, sheep, and maybe even a horse or two!

So, Monasterevin is a wonderful place for nature lovers. With its river, streets, and green spaces, there's always something new to discover!

  1. What types of birds might you see swimming in the River Barrow?
  2. Why do you think Moore Abbey Street was named after Moore Abbey?
  3. What might you see if you visit Bell Harbour?
  4. Can you use a map to identify three different types of geographical features in Monasterevin?
  5. Explore your local area and find one geographical feature. What is it and why do you think it is important?

My Family and Monasterevin

Hi, I'm Ollie and I'm eight years old. I live in a cool place called Monasterevin in Co. Kildare, it's in Ireland!

Monasterevin is fantastic. We have lots of cool things like the Bell Harbour. It's a place where boats stop and take a rest. I love watching the boats, they're so colourful and big!

There's also this old building called Moore Abbey. It's not like a normal house, it's really, really big! My parents told me it's a mansion. They also said it's very old, even older than my grandparents!

My favourite place is the aqueduct though. It's a bridge but not for cars or people, it's for water! Can you believe that? It's a part of the Grand Canal. I love it because it's like a giant water slide but you can't slide on it.

I'm so glad I live in Monasterevin, it's the best place ever and I can't wait to grow up here. Bye for now!

  1. What is the name of the place where Ollie lives?
  2. Can you describe the Bell Harbour as Ollie sees it?
  3. What does Ollie think about Moore Abbey and why?
  4. Why is the aqueduct Ollie's favourite place?
  5. How does Ollie feel about growing up in Monasterevin?

The Logainm of Monasterevin

Monasterevin is a special place in County Kildare, Ireland. Its name in Irish is "Mhainistir Eimhín". If we break it down, "Mhainistir" means "Monastery" and "Eimhín" is the name of a person. So, Monasterevin means "Eimhín's Monastery".

Long, long ago, a man named Saint Eimhín built a monastery here. A monastery is a place where monks live and pray. Monks are people who dedicate their lives to helping others and being kind. Saint Eimhín was a very good man, and he helped a lot of people. That's why the place is named after him. The monastery is not there anymore, but the town remembers its history through its name.

Today, Monasterevin is a vibrant town with schools, shops, and lots of friendly people. It's fun to imagine how it might have looked when Saint Eimhín and his monks lived there. Even though times have changed, the name Monasterevin reminds us of its past and the good deeds of Saint Eimhín.

  1. What does the name "Monasterevin" mean in English?
  2. Who was Saint Eimhín and what did he build in Monasterevin?
  3. What is a monastery?
  4. Why do you think the town is named after Saint Eimhín?
  5. How does the name Monasterevin connect the town's past to the present day?

Slideshow - Monasterevin
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Monasterevin