Clonalvy (Irish: Cluain Ailbhe)[1] is a civil parish in County Meath, Ireland. The name Clonalvy is derived from the Irish language cluain (or clon) meaning 'meadow' and Áilbhe (or Áilbhe) referring to a person or place. It is taken to mean Ailbhe's Meadow but could also refer to the Meadow of the Ailbine River (now Delvin River).[citation needed] There are several variations of the spelling of Clonalvy, including Clonolvy, Clonalvey, Cluain Ailbhe.

Clonalvy
Cluain Ailbhe
Civil parish
Clonalvy's Roman Catholic church is dedicated to St John the Baptist
Clonalvy's Roman Catholic church is dedicated to St John the Baptist
Clonalvy is located in Ireland
Clonalvy
Clonalvy
Coordinates: 53°35′15″N 6°20′23″W / 53.5874°N 6.3396°W / 53.5874; -6.3396
CountryIreland
ProvinceLeinster
CountyCounty Meath

According to the Placenames Database of Ireland, Clonalvy is "just beside Fourknocks, seems a most likely location for the famous Lia Ailbhe, the standing stone described in AN as 'the chief monument of Brega' (príomh-dindgnai Maighi Bregh) in 999, when it fell and was made into four millstones by Máelaschlainn the high king".[2]

Clonalvy's church was dedicated to St John the Baptist with its feast day falling on 24 June. This followed the practice of the Norman settlement, moving the church from the traditional Celtic system. The tithe of the Church and Parish being directed to the Canons of Llananthony (prima and secunda) Wales from 1172 to 1541. The Norman church now lies in ruins in the townland of Flemingtown.

The area has a small school, a pub and a shop.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Cluain Ailbhe / Clonalvy". logainm.ie. Placenames Database of Ireland. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  2. ^ Byrne, Excavations at Knowth PRIA 66C4 p. 396