Собор Клонферта: История и архитектура ирландского наследия

Clonfert Cathedral is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Clonfert, County Galway in Ireland. Previously the cathedral of the Diocese of Clonfert and then one of three cathedrals in the United Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe, it is now one of five cathedrals in the Diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe. The current building was erected 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 dean of the cathedral is the Very Reverend Roderick Lindsay Smyth who is also Dean of Killaloe, Dean of Kilfenora and both Dean and Provost of Kilmacduagh.

The earliest part of the church dates back to around 1180. Its doorway is the crowning achievement of Hiberno Romanesque style. It is in six orders, and has a large variety of motifs, animal heads, foliage, human heads etc. Above the doorway is a pointed hood enclosing triangles alternating with bizarre human heads, and below this is an arcade enclosing more human heads. The early 13th century east windows in the chancel is an example of a late Romanesque windows. The chancel arch was inserted in the 15th century, and is decorated with angels, a rosette and a mermaid carrying a mirror. The supporting arches of the tower at the west end of the church are also decorated with 15th century heads, and the innermost order of the Romanesque doorway was also inserted at this time. The sacristy is also 15th century. The church had a Romanesque south transept, which is now in ruins, and a Gothic north transept, which has been removed. In the Roman Catholic church one mile to the south is a 14th century wooden statue of the Madonna and Child, and on the roadside near this church is a 16th century tower house.

Clonfert Cathedral was included in the 2000 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund. The soft sandstone structure had weathered severely, and prior conservation efforts, which did not fully address all the building's problems, as well as substantial biological growth, had compounded the deterioration. Due to the limited resources of the dwindling congregation, American Express provided financial assistance through the organization.

561 In which the battle of Cúl Dreimne is what is to be recorded, and in which Ainmire, son of Sétna, and Ainnedid son of Fergus, and Domnall were victors. Diarmait, however, was put to flight; and on this day Cluain Ferta Brénainn was founded at the order of an angel. [AU 558, 560, 561, 564; AU 558]
636 Repose of Carthach, abbot of Cluain Ferta Brénainn, who is called Ségán. 752 Repose of Cúángus, abbot of Liath Mo Chaemóc, and repose of Fiachna grandson of Maicnia, abbot of Cluain Ferta Brénainn. 802 Repose of Ólchobar, abbot of Cluain Ferta Brénainn. 817 Connmach ua Cathail, wise man of Cluain Fearta Brenainn, died. 820 Laithbheartach, son of Aenghus, Bishop of Cluain Fearta Brenainn died. 838 A great assembly of the men of Ireland in Cluain Ferta Brénainn, and Niall son of Aed, king of Temuir, submitted to Feidlimid, son of Crimthann, so that Feidlimid became full king of Ireland that day, and he occupied the abbot's chair of Cluain Ferta. 866 Tomrar the Jarl, plundered Cluain Ferta Brénainn, and Brénainn killed him on [the] third day after he had reached his camp. 949 The spoiling of Sil Anmchadha (Síol Anmchadha), and the plundering of Cluain fearta Brenainn, by Ceallachan and the men of Munster. 971 Cinaedh of the Oratory, anchorite of Cluain fearta, died. 1045 Clonfert, with its church, was burned by the Ui Maine. Cuchonnacht, son of Gadhra Ua Dunadhaigh, was there slain. 1112 Mael Maire Ua Fócarta, coarb of Brénainn, rested in Christ. 1136 Domhnall Ua Dubhthaigh, Archbishop of Connaught died after mass and celebration at Cluain fearta Brenainn. 1162 The relics of Bishop Maeinenn and of Cummaine Foda were removed from the earth by the clergy of Brenainn, and they were enclosed in a protecting shrine. 1170 Cormac Ua Lumluini, lector of Cluain fearta Brenainn, the remnant of the sages of Ireland in his time, died. 1179 Clonfert Brendan, with its churches, were burned. 1186 Maelcallann, son of Adam Mac Clerken, Bishop of Clonfert Brendan, died. 1190 A meeting was held at Clonfert Brendan, to conclude a peace between Cathal Crovderg and Cathal Carragh. All the Sil Murray repaired to this meeting, together with the successor of St. Patrick, Conor Mac Dermot, and Aireaghtagh O'Rodiv; but they could not be reconciled to each other on this occasion. O'Conor and the Sil Murray went to Clonmacnoise on that night, and early next morning embarked in their fleet, and sailed up the Shannon until they came to Lough Ree. A violent storm arose on the lake, by which their vessels were separated from each other; and the storm so agitated the vessel in which O'Conor was, that it could not be piloted. Such was the fury of the storm, it foundered, and all the crew perished, except O'Conor himself and six others. In this vessel with O'Conor (Cathal Crovderg) were Areaghtagh O'Rodiv and Conor, son of Cathal, who were both drowned, as were also Conor and Auliffe, the two sons of Hugh Mageraghty; O'Mulrenin, and the son of O'Monahan, and many others. 1195 Donnell Ó Finn, Coarb of Clonfert Brendan, died. 1202 Murtough O'Carmacan, Bishop of Clonfert Brendan, died. 1266 A bishop elect came from Rome to Clonfert Brendan, and the dignity of bishop was conferred on him, and on TomásÓ Mhiadhachán, at Athenry, on the Sunday before Christmas.