Kilfenora Cathedral is located on the Burren plateau in County Clare. It was built around 1189 on the site of an early monastery founded by St Fachtna in the 6th century. The cathedral was a simple building with a nave and a choir. The chancel has a very well preserved Transitional style east window and some other notable stone carvings including 14th century portraits of bishops.

The main attraction of the site is undoubtedly the collection of high crosses from the 12th century. Originally there were seven crosses, one of which was moved to Killaloe in 1821. Three of the remaining crosses are still complete, including the most famous, the Doorty Cross (2.83 m) and the tallest, 4.6 m high, West Cross.

A glass roof was built in 2004 to protect the high crosses and stone carvings.

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June 18, 2023

The most famous of Kilfenora's high crosses, the so-called Doorty Cross, is an impressive 2.80 m high and shows an unusual relief, especially on the west side: a bishop with miter and crosier stands above two other clergymen. These push their crooks into the back of a winged creature, which in turn rests on two human figures. This scene may represent the beginning of the new European reforms in the Irish Church in the 12th century.

irishstones.org/place.aspx?p=1211&i=15

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christian427

September 6, 2023

It is good to see that the High Cross is under glass - in 1994 the cross was still in front of the cathedral and was exposed to wind and weather. (see photos)

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Elevation 120 m

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Location: Clare, Munster, Ireland

Kilfenora High Crosses

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