A very special occasion will take place on Tuesday 25 June (8pm) in the Cathedral of St Fachnan, Kilfenora.
Dr Michael O’Neill, a distinguished architectural historian and digital archivist, will give a presentation on the architectural heritage of this unique building in the cathedral itself.
Dr O’Neill – a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (RSAI) – has researched and written on all aspects of Irish architecture, and undertaken extensive fieldwork for the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and the Buildings of Ireland series.
His research on Kilfenora Cathedral formed part of a book he published in 2023 – “An Architectural History of the Church of Ireland” (Church of Ireland Publishing, 392pp) – a lively and detailed overview of Church of Ireland churches all over the country, addressing the legacies of various architectural movements, church furnishings, and the practice of inherited medieval churches remaining in use, among many other topics.
Dr O’Neill’s presentation will highlight features and facts that will be new even to our local audience. For those less familiar, there is a rich history to discover about a building and diocese nearly a thousand years old. As a home to both Catholic and Protestant bishops, by custom having a cathedral awards the status of a city on Kilfenora – the smallest in the world. The title ‘City of the Crosses’ also celebrates the highest concentration of ancient celtic crosses anywhere.
Kilfenora Cathedral and Corcomroe Abbey are the most important ancient ecclesiastical buildings in the region, and the Cathedral’s architectural features contain many mysteries and histories that Dr O’Neill will help to unravel.
To cover costs and contribute a small amount to the restoration costs of the cathedral, there will be an entry charge for this unique occasion of €10 (€8 concession rate for unwaged, students, OAPs). Not to be missed!
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