Killaloe Cathedral

Map Reference: R705729 (1705, 1729)

An early monastery was founded at Killaloe, Co Clare by St Fachnan. He was succeeded by St Flannan who died in 639. Killaloe Cathedral was founded about 1185 by Donal Mor O Brien on the site of an earlier church.



The Romanesque doorway from this church is preserved in the southwest corner of the Cathedral. It is a four-order arch, richly decorated.



The outer arch has a continuous bead-bordered chevron roll. The second arch has chevrons alternating point-up and point-down. The third arch has carvings of heads and animals but is greatly damaged and the inner arch has chevrons alternating and connected by curved rolls.



The abaci are greatly defaced and the capitals below them are scalloped and decorated with animals and foliage. The first and third jambs are square in plan and are deeply carved with chevrons and notches. The second jambs are round and are delicately carved with lozenges and zigzags. Only part of the inner jamb remains. Every unmoulded space in the doorway is decorated with a variety of foliage and animals, over 130 of them, no two quite the same.



Close to this doorway is a stone with a Runic and an Ogham inscription on it.



There is also a decorated font and a High Cross, which was moved to the Cathedral from Kilfenora. It is similar in appearance to the Doorty Cross but it is less complete and the carvings are not as deep.



For details of other Decorated Romanesque Doorways & Arches click on the links below

Kilmore Cathedral, Co Cavan Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare White Island, Co Fermanagh Annaghdown Cathedral, Co Galway Clonfert, Co Galway Tuam Cathedral, Co Galway Aghadoe, Co Kerry Ardfert Cathedral, Co Kerry Kilmalkedar, Co Kerry Castledermott, Co Kildare Kildare Cathedral, Co Kildare Freshford, Co Kilkenny Ullard, Co Kilkenny Killeshin, Co Laois Timahoe, Co Laois The Nun's Church, Clonmacnois, Co Offaly Rahan, Co Offaly Cashel, Co Tipperary Donaghmore, Co Tipperary Kilcash, Co Tipperary Monaincha, Co Tipperary Roscrea, Co Tipperary St Saviour’s Priory, Glendalough, Co Wicklow

For details of other Figured High Crosses click on the links below

Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare Kilfenora, Co Clare Camus, Co Derry Carndonagh, Co Donegal Donaghmore, Co Down Boho, Co Fermanagh Galloon, Co Fermanagh Tuam, Co Galway Castledermott, Co Kildare Moone, Co Kildare Kilkeeran, Co Kilkenny Killamery, Co Kilkenny Kilree, Co Kilkenny Monasterboice, Co Louth Termonfeckin, Co Louth Duleek, Co Meath Kells, Co Meath Kells Market Cross, Co Meath Killary, Co Meath Clones, Co Monaghan Clonmacnois, Co Offaly Durrow, Co Offaly Drumcliffe, Co Sligo Ahenny, Co Tipperary Arboe, Co Tyrone Donaghmore, Co Tyrone