St Flannan's Cathedral
About
The Church of Ireland cathedral on Royal Parade, on the Clare bank beside the canal. The cathedral's own history says Donal Mór O'Brien built a church here early in the twelfth century and that it was replaced between 1195 and 1225 by the present building, dedicated to St Flannan. It is built of yellow and purple sandstone and sits on the line between Romanesque and Gothic: the east window is eleven metres high and set in three carved stone arches. Three things inside are worth the visit on their own. The twelfth-century Romanesque doorway in the south wall, which the cathedral says carries over 130 patterns of plants and animals and may come from the earlier church. The Thorgrim stone, found in 1916, which is inscribed in both ogham and Norse runes; the runes read "Thorgrimr carved this cross", and it is dated to about 1000 AD. And a twelfth-century high cross that Bishop Mant brought from Kilfenora in 1821. In the graveyard stands St Flannan's Oratory, a small stone-roofed church that predates the cathedral. The cathedral says it is open daily and services are held on Sundays at 11.30.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓Twelfth-century Romanesque doorway in the south wall
- ✓The Thorgrim stone, inscribed in ogham and Norse runes
- ✓Kilfenora high cross, brought here in 1821
- ✓Eleven-metre east window
- ✓St Flannan's Oratory, a stone-roofed church in the graveyard
Tips
- →Guided tours can be arranged through the cathedral; contact details are on its own website.
- →Sunday service is at 11.30, so plan a quiet look around outside that time.
- →It is the main venue of the SCS Killaloe Music Festival in early June.
Best Season
More Heritage Activities
St Molua's Oratory
St Molua's church, moved stone by stone from Friar's Island when the Shannon Scheme flooded it, now beside St Flannan's Catholic church on Killaloe's hilltop. Co. Clare.
Béal Ború
The grassy ringfort on a spur above the Shannon that tradition ties to Brian Ború, a short way north of Killaloe on the Clare bank. Free, no facilities.
Graves of the Leinstermen, Tountinna
A standing stone on Tountinna's slope in Co. Tipperary with the whole foot of Lough Derg below. A 5.6km waymarked loop starts at the car park.