Ecclesiastical Sites.

County Clare.

Early Irish Church Sites.
Quinn Friary.
  This Franciscan Friary began its life as a castle built by Richard de Clare between 1278 1280. The castle was captured and destroyed by the O'Briens after their victory over Edward Bruce, at Dysert O'Dea in 1318.

In 1433 although another source gives a date of 1402 an abbey for the Observant Franciscans friars was built on the site, incorporating the ruins of the castle.

The high arched ruin of of this with its cloister almost complete. A stream separates the Friary from a second ruin St Finghan's church's. You can climb safely to the second floor dormitory which is grassed over.

Tourist Information
Aurthurs Row
off O'Connoll Square
Ennis
Co Clare
Tel +003536828366
E Mail
Web Site

Inside the church are several tombs the finest of which is that of the MacNamara's dating from about 1500.

 

 

Killaloe Cathedral.
 

Construction of this cathedral church was begun some time at the end of the twelfth century. Most of the visible fabric of the church seen today is of thirteenth century provenance. Near the west end of the church is a Ogham stone bearing a Scandinavian runic inscription. There is also a plain stone cross brought to the site from Kilfenora.

Killalo
Co Clare
Tel +353 (0)
E Mail
Web Site

The church contains a considerable amount of stone carvings, some inserted here after being removed from an earlier church built by Donal Mór O'Brien

 

 

Scattery Churches and Round Tower.
 

This early Christian monastic site is set on an island in the beautiful Shannon estuary, about 15 minutes by boat from Cappa pier.

Tourist Information
Aurthurs Row
off O'Connoll Square
Ennis
Co Clare
Tel +003536828366
E Mail
Web Site

The site contains the ruins of five churches and a substantial round tower with a conical stone roof, the tower is about 24.4 Metres (80 Ft) high, and unusually has a door at ground level.