CLONFERT CATHEDRAL

Clonfert Cathedral is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland. The cathedral was built in the 12th century at the site of an earlier 6th century church founded by Saint Brendan, which was associated with a monastery he founded and at which he was buried.

The monastery was a thriving centre of learning for centuries and at one time it is estimated there were 3,000 monks based at Clonfert. Unfortunately through a series of Viking raids, the monastery was burnt to the ground on several occasions, leaving only the present day Cathedral as the only remains on the site.

There is a Hiberno-Romanesque style to be seen throughout the Cathedral, in particular the renowned western doorway.