 St. Brendan the Navigator or Voyager founded the original monastery at Clonfert in the 6th Century. An inveterate traveller, St. Brendan journeyed far and wide to Wales and Scotland before returning to Ireland. According to legend, he even ventured as far as America.
The earliest part of the present church dates to ca. 1180 A.D. It is noted for its magificent doorway, constructed in the Hiberno-Romamesque style, and has many motifs including animal heads, foliage, human heads, among others. Above the doorway is a pointed hood enclosing triangles alternating with bizarre human heads, and below this is an arcade enclosing more human heads.
St. Brendan was born in 484 A.D. in County Kerry. He studied with Saint Ita and was ordained in 512 A.D. Between the years 512 and 530, St. Brendan built many monasteries, among the most famous being Ardfert, at Shanakeel at the foot of Mount Brandon on the Dingle Peninsula, at Annaghdown, where he died, and at Clonfert, his most celebrated foundation, where he was buried.
About Clonfert
Wikipedia: Clonfert Cathedral
Irish Antiquities: Clonfert Cathedral
Monastic Ireland: Clonfert
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Brendan
Wikipedia: Brendan
Journey to Clonfert
Clonfert is located southwest of Clonmacnoise and the town of Shannonbridge off the R356 in east County Galway, Ireland.
Map Reference: M960210
Visitors Information
Visitors information may be found at the geograph.ie website. General tourist information on the area may be found at the Galway East website.
Additional Photos of Clonfert
Read Board in Front of St. Brendan's Church at Clonfert
Front of St. Brendan's Church at Clonfert
Back of St. Brendan's Church at Clonfert
Clonfert's Famous Hiberno-Romamesque Doorway
Clonfert's Famous Hiberno-Romanesque Doorway
Close-Up of Portion of Doorway at Clonfert
Carving at Entrance of Church at Clonfert
Carving at Entrance of Church at Clonfert
Carving of Animal Heads at Clonfert
Carving of Animal Heads at Clonfert
Carving of Angels Inside Church at Clonfert
Carving of a Mermaid Inside Church at Clonfert
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