Kilfenora

Kilfenora is situated in the Burren region of County Clare. St Fachtna founded a monastery there during the sixth century. The present Cathedral was built between 1189 and 1200. There were originally seven crosses in Kilfenora and it was known as the city of the crosses, in 1821 one of its finest crosses was removed to Killaloe, of the remaining six crosses three are complete, these include the most famous of all, the Doorty Cross and also the West Cross.

In the chancel of the Cathedral is the shaft of a very ornate cross, pictured above.

Unfortunately on my recent visit to kilfenora restoration work was going on at the Cathedral and the light did not favour me. The Doorty Cross, east face pictured right, bears the figure of a Bishop in high relief carrying a volute crozier,beneath this are two more figures thrusting there croziers, one is tau shaped, into a winged creature below. The West Cross out in a field on its own, stands some 4.6 metres high and the east face bears a crucified Christ and geometric design.

Above is a design featured on the west face of the west cross. I will add more to this page at a later date. Below are a few features from the chancel of the Cathedral showing two effigial slabs.