Killaloe, County Clare
Encyclopedia
Killaloe is a large village in east County Clare
, Ireland
, situated in the midwest of Ireland
. The village is on the south end of Lough Derg, while the settlement spreads across the River Shannon
, with the County Tipperary side known as Ballina
. The surrounding area is popular for hill-walking.
The Killaloe Electoral Area is one of six such areas in County Clare and returns four members to Clare County Council.
The diocese of Killaloe
is the second largest diocese in Ireland.
The University of Limerick
has its outdoor pursuits centre near Killaloe on the shore of the lake.
, or Lua, originally on an island in the Shannon 1 km below the present Killaloe Bridge which later moved onto the mainland. In the tenth century it was base for Brian Boru
as it controlled the strategic crossing of the Shannon above Limerick, where the Vikings were in control. Brian Boru had his palace, Kincora
(Ceann Coradh), on the high ground where the current Catholic church stands. Therefore, between 1002 and 1014, when he was the High King
, Killaloe was effectively the capital of all Ireland. 2 km north of the town, his fort, Beal Boruma, stood on the site of an Iron Age ring at the head of Lough Derg, where a ford crossed the river. The word "Boruma" comes from the tribute paid by those crossing the river and is thought to be the origin of Brian Boru's name.
St Flannan's Cathedral
(Church of Ireland) was built between 1185 and 1225, with an oratory
for the same saint, who had been the abbot of Killaloe in the seventh century, and it became the centre of the diocese
. The cathedral was destroyed and rebuilt in the fourteenth century, and of the original building only a romanesque arch survives. In Elizabethan times, Ennis
was chosen as the county town of Clare, and the importance of Killaloe declined.
In 1650, Cromwell
spent 10 days on the opposite side of the Shannon at Ballina
, exploring ways to cross the river, which was the defensive line of catholic and royalist forces before the Siege of Limerick
. 40 years later, Patrick Sarsfield was the leader of the Jacobite
forces here, harrying the Williamite
forces advancing on Limerick.
The earliest mention of a (wooden) bridge across the river is in 1013. This was often repaired and eventually replaced by a 17 arch stone bridge in the early eighteenth century, later reduced to 13 arches. Most of the houses in the lower part of the town were built in the eighteenth century. In the nineteenth century the Shannon Steam Navigation Company had its headquarters here and constructed a canal to bypass the rapids below the town.
St. Lua's oratory, built between 1000 and 1150, was moved from Friar's island to the site of the Catholic Church when the hydroelectric scheme at Ardnacrusha was constructed in the 1920s.
.
Patricia Noonan was the first pupil through the school doors in September 1940.
. He ruled from Kincora, which is believed to have been in modern day Killaloe.
Former Ireland rugby international
captain Keith Wood
, also the inaugural IRB International Player of the Year
in 2001, is a Killaloe native.
Anthony Foley
, Munster
's Heineken Cup
winning captain and former Irish International, is also a resident.
American president John F. Kennedy
's history has been traced back to Killaloe, to Brian Boru's father, Cennétig mac Lorcáin
.
Brendan Grace
is an Irish Comedian who also has a house and a pub called Brendan Graces in Killaloe.
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, situated in the midwest of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The village is on the south end of Lough Derg, while the settlement spreads across the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
, with the County Tipperary side known as Ballina
Ballina, County Tipperary
Ballina is a village that lies on the River Shannon in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is a scenic area on the eastern shore of Lough Derg.It is a 'twin-town' of Killaloe, in County Clare, on the west bank of the lake...
. The surrounding area is popular for hill-walking.
The Killaloe Electoral Area is one of six such areas in County Clare and returns four members to Clare County Council.
The diocese of Killaloe
Diocese of Killaloe
The Diocese of Killaloe may refer either to a Roman Catholic or a Church of Ireland diocese, in Ireland.-Roman Catholic diocese:The Diocese of Killaloe is the second largest Roman Catholic diocese in Ireland....
is the second largest diocese in Ireland.
The University of Limerick
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
has its outdoor pursuits centre near Killaloe on the shore of the lake.
History
The town owes its origin to a sixth century monastic settlement founded by St. MoluaSaint Molua
Saint Molua , , was an Irish saint, who was a Christian abbot in the Early Middle Ages.Little is known on Molua other than he was a monk, a builder and possibly a hermit. Molua was the founder of Killaloe , which bears his name Lua...
, or Lua, originally on an island in the Shannon 1 km below the present Killaloe Bridge which later moved onto the mainland. In the tenth century it was base for Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
as it controlled the strategic crossing of the Shannon above Limerick, where the Vikings were in control. Brian Boru had his palace, Kincora
Kincora
Kincora was the palace of Brian Boru, situated on the summit of the hill in Killaloe, County Clare, Ireland.Kincora may also refer to:* Kincora Boys' Home in Belfast, which became notorious because of a child abuse scandal...
(Ceann Coradh), on the high ground where the current Catholic church stands. Therefore, between 1002 and 1014, when he was the High King
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
, Killaloe was effectively the capital of all Ireland. 2 km north of the town, his fort, Beal Boruma, stood on the site of an Iron Age ring at the head of Lough Derg, where a ford crossed the river. The word "Boruma" comes from the tribute paid by those crossing the river and is thought to be the origin of Brian Boru's name.
St Flannan's Cathedral
Killaloe Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of St. Flannan, Killaloe is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Killaloe, County Clare in Ireland. It is in the ecclesiastical province of Dublin....
(Church of Ireland) was built between 1185 and 1225, with an oratory
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
for the same saint, who had been the abbot of Killaloe in the seventh century, and it became the centre of the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
. The cathedral was destroyed and rebuilt in the fourteenth century, and of the original building only a romanesque arch survives. In Elizabethan times, Ennis
Ennis
Ennis is the county town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway. Its name is a shortening of the original ....
was chosen as the county town of Clare, and the importance of Killaloe declined.
In 1650, Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
spent 10 days on the opposite side of the Shannon at Ballina
Ballina, County Tipperary
Ballina is a village that lies on the River Shannon in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is a scenic area on the eastern shore of Lough Derg.It is a 'twin-town' of Killaloe, in County Clare, on the west bank of the lake...
, exploring ways to cross the river, which was the defensive line of catholic and royalist forces before the Siege of Limerick
Siege of Limerick (1650-51)
Limerick, in western Ireland was the scene of two sieges during the Irish Confederate Wars. The second and largest of these took place during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in 1650-51. Limerick was one the last fortified cities held by an alliance of Irish Confederate Catholics and English...
. 40 years later, Patrick Sarsfield was the leader of the Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
forces here, harrying the Williamite
Williamite war in Ireland
The Williamite War in Ireland—also called the Jacobite War in Ireland, the Williamite-Jacobite War in Ireland and in Irish as Cogadh an Dá Rí —was a conflict between Catholic King James II and Protestant King William of Orange over who would be King of England, Scotland and Ireland...
forces advancing on Limerick.
The earliest mention of a (wooden) bridge across the river is in 1013. This was often repaired and eventually replaced by a 17 arch stone bridge in the early eighteenth century, later reduced to 13 arches. Most of the houses in the lower part of the town were built in the eighteenth century. In the nineteenth century the Shannon Steam Navigation Company had its headquarters here and constructed a canal to bypass the rapids below the town.
St. Lua's oratory, built between 1000 and 1150, was moved from Friar's island to the site of the Catholic Church when the hydroelectric scheme at Ardnacrusha was constructed in the 1920s.
Education
Killaloe is home to the public school St. Anne's Community CollegeSt. Anne's Community College
Saint Anne's Community College is a Catholic secondary public school in Killaloe, County Clare, Republic of Ireland. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in the early 20th century and was originally an all-girl school.-External Links:...
.
Patricia Noonan was the first pupil through the school doors in September 1940.
People
Killaloe was the birthplace of Ireland's famous High King, Brian BoruBrian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
. He ruled from Kincora, which is believed to have been in modern day Killaloe.
Former Ireland rugby international
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
captain Keith Wood
Keith Wood
Keith Gerard Mallinson Wood and educated at St Munchin's College, Limerick is a former international rugby union footballer who played hooker for Ireland, the Lions, Garryowen, Harlequins and Munster....
, also the inaugural IRB International Player of the Year
IRB Awards
The IRB Awards are given out annually by the International Rugby Board, the worldwide governing body for rugby union, for major achievement in the sport. They were first awarded in 2001...
in 2001, is a Killaloe native.
Anthony Foley
Anthony Foley
Anthony "Axel" Foley is a retired Irish rugby union footballer. He was educated at St Munchin's College in Limerick.-Shannon:...
, Munster
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
's Heineken Cup
2005-06 Heineken Cup
The 2005–06 Heineken Cup was the eleventh edition of the European Heineken Cup rugby union club tournament. 24 teams from 7 different countries took part, with the opening game played on Friday October 21, 2005...
winning captain and former Irish International, is also a resident.
American president John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
's history has been traced back to Killaloe, to Brian Boru's father, Cennétig mac Lorcáin
Cennétig mac Lorcáin
Cennétig mac Lorcáin was an Irish king. He was the father of Brian Boru.-Reign:Cennétig was king of the Dál gCais, one of the tribes of the Déisi, subject peoples in Munster. Their name was new, first recorded in the 930s, and they had previously been an undistinguished part of the northern Déisi...
.
Brendan Grace
Brendan Grace
Brendan Grace is an Irish comedian and singer. He is known for his comedy schoolboy character "Bottler", the role of Murphy in the 1995 movie Moondance, and his 1996 appearance in the Irish TV sitcom Father Ted as Father Fintan Stack.-Background:Born in the heart of Dublin in 1951, Brendan was...
is an Irish Comedian who also has a house and a pub called Brendan Graces in Killaloe.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland