Killaloe (top left image) derives its name from Cill Da Lua meaning the Church of Do-Lua. The Patron of Killaloe is St. Flannan (an 8th C) Prince of Dal gCais. The rise to power of Dal gCais and his descendants and the proximity of the monastery combined to make Killaloe one of the leading ecclesiastical centres in Munster. The main feature of the town is St. Flannans Cathedral built by King Donal Mor O’Brien. The Church is cruciform in design and is decorated in a simple fashion. Its most noteworthy feature is the highly decorated romanesque doorway (top right and bottom left images), which is rich in carvings, many of human heads and animals. Near it are the remains of a 12th C High Cross removed from Kilfenora in 1821.
There is also an Ogham stone (second image bottom left) bearing inscriptions in Ogham and Runic, requesting a blessing for Thorgrim who carved it. Unusual in having both scripts. This stone was unearthed in the church yard and has been put into the Church to protect it. In the grounds lie St.Flannans oratory which has a high-pitched roof, a barrel vaulted ceiling of stone with a croft or chamber above it, and a decorated doorway (as in the images bottom 3rd and 4th from left). The 11th C doorway has remarkable carvings now badly worn.
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