Ciara was the daughter of a wealthy Christian family who settled near Nenagh, Co. Tipperary in the 7th century. Ciara was a devout Christian and aged 20, she established a convent near her home which became famous and grew rapidly. It grew to such an extent that Ciara established another convent near Durrow, County Laois where she spent many years, though she returned to her home before her death in 685