The Laois Cyclist: Saint Flannan's Cathedral, Killaloe, Clare

Saint Flannan's Cathedral, Killaloe, Clare

Killaloe in County Clare is a village lying on the River Shannon. It is historically associated with Brian Boru, Ireland's only High King who could rightly lay claim to dominion throughout Ireland.

Brian died victorious at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.... A Pyrrhic victory.

Saint Flannan's Cathedral is a hidden jewel located just 100 metres or so from the bridge which leads across the Shannon from Ballina (not Mayo Ballina) and into the village.

The Cathedral was originally built in the late 12th century and was substantially altered and added to over the intervening years.

The building itself is architecturally beautiful on the exterior and holds a few hidden gems inside which are fascinating in and of themselves.

There is a Romanesque Doorway inside the Cathedral which dates from the late 1190's and is covered in Chevrons, Zigzags, and a host of intricate plant and animal designs. Two grave slabs inserted into the floor directly beneath it are said to mark the burial place of Muircheartach O'Brien, a King of Munster.

Also located in the Cathedral is Thorgrimr's Stone. This is the only known example in Ireland of a stone containing both Scandinavian Runic and Irish Ogham Script.
Ogham is a 20 letter Old Irish alphabet also known as "the tree alphabet."

The Kilfenora High Cross is also housed here and was brought to the Cathedral in 1821 by Bishop Mant.

A beautifully designed baptismal font is to be found inside the Cathedral and dates from the 13th Century. Dividing the Cathedral interior is a huge Oak screen dating from 1885 which can be opened up if need be to make extra room inside.

With its tiled floor along the nave, a beautiful wooden ceiling, stunning transepts, and large stained glass windows behind the altar, the Cathedral is a wonder to explore.

Dotted throughout are a variety of memorial plaques and pieces of ecclesiastical furniture that constantly draw the attention.

Lying within the grounds is Saint Flannan's Oratory, probably constructed in the late 11th Century. It is a beautiful little building. See here : Saint Flannan's Oratory

Killaloe is named after Saint Lua (Molua) Cill da Lua i.e. the Church of Lua.

A Church was founded by Molua on Friar's Island on the Shannon sometime in the 6th Century. This island was flooded over when a hydroelectric plant was established at Ardnachrusha downstream on the Shannon.

In 1930 the small 7th Century Church ruin and Oratory of Lua were disassembled on Friar's island brick by brick and moved upstream by barge to be re-erected on the grounds of Saint Flannan's Roman Catholic Church which is a short walk from the Cathedral. This structure is variously referred to as Saint Molua's Church and Saint Lua's Oratory.

If visiting Saint Flannan's R.C. Church there are some stained glass windows of note inside the building, particularly two by Joshua Clarke, father of famed Stained Glass artist Harry Clarke.

A couple of miles outside and upstream from Killaloe is Brian Boru's Fort, a large earth ringed enclosure which was originally an Irish Ring Fort and later an Anglo Norman fortification. The area is very scenic, worth dropping in if passing.