Introduction
The ancient town of Kilfenora, which in bygone days held
such a conspicuous position in the Kingdom of Thomond, formerly enjoyed
very good inland trade. It is now a market town, situated in a parish
of the same name and in the Barony of Corcomroe about fourteen miles distant
from Ennis, the capital of the county of Clare, and four miles (N.N.E)
from Ennistymon, on the road which leads from Corofin to Lahinch. Kilfenora,
which was anciently called Fenabore and Cellumabrack (the silent cell),
is also known as “The City of Crosses”. It received the latter
name from seven Crosses which encircled the town at regular distances
from each other. These Crosses existed from time immemorial and are said
by local tradition to have sprung up in one night. However, from the difference
of the workmanship, it is evident they were not executed at the same time,
and it is very probable that these Crosses were first placed here for
purpose of marking the extent of the church property, which was known
as Termon lands. It was decreed by an ancient canon of the church, “Ubincunque
inveneritis signum Crucis Christine lacesseritis”. In consequence
of the fear which existed of insulting the representation of the Cross,
peaceable people who feared being plundered and murdered by their lawless
neighbours usually had this emblem of the salvation of man printed on
their doors or carved in stone. The practice which prevails in this country
to the present day, of making wooden crosses and of placing them in the
house, appears to have originated after the passing of the canon alluded
to, and handed down from generation to generation, though those who follow
this ancient custom can now assign no reason for so doing. One of the
principal reasons which actuated the people in those rude ages to respect
those dwellings on the doors of which the Cross was represented, or having
one of stone in their immediate vicinity, and that those who violated
the canon were always visited with the most severe ecclesiastical censure.
Of these curious and interesting relics,
only two now remain, one of which is very handsomely carved, and although
very large (about twelve feet in height) is formed out of one solid stone.
This cross stands in a field immediately adjoining the town and nearly
opposite the Parish Chapel. The field in which it is placed contains about
an acre of rich pasture land which was formerly a potato garden, and is
west of the Protestant Cathedral. On the side of the cross which looks
towards Kilfenora, is sculptured and representation of the Redeemer draped.
Beneath the feet of this figure the remains of which prove that it was
handsomely carved, are two ropes which extend to the ground. What these
were intended to represent has puzzled many antiquarians, but it is evident
they were placed here for the purpose of filling up the empty space. This
stately relic is orbed, and as the sculpture is inferior to that of the
crosses of Clonmacnoise and Durrow it is in all likelihood of greater
antiquity. It is said that it dates from the days of St. Fachnan. The
other cross, the arms and head of which are broken off, stands on a slight
elevation in the demesne of Ballykeal.
In this little town there is a neat Catholic Chapel,
which has been greatly improved through the indefatigable exertions of
the parish priest, the Rev Mr Newell, who, since he came to reside amongst
them, is deservedly esteemed by his numerous parishioners. There is also
a Protestant Church, a portion of the ancient Cathedral which was remodelled.
On the left of the walk which leads from the entrance, an arched iron
gate, of the cemetery to the door of the church, is the upper portion
of an ancient and very curious cross which was placed here as a headstone
over one of the graves. At a short distance from the ruins of the Cathedral
is a handsome National School, which is divided into two compartments
for the education of the youth of both sexes. It was erected at the expense
of the late Mr. O’Brien, of Elm Vale, and Ballynalacken Castle,
County of Clare, M.P. for the city of Limerick from 1841 to 1852. Over
the door is the following inscription:- Kilfenora National School, Built
by John O’Brien Esq, M.P. 1841.
There are fairs held at Kilfenora for the sale of cattle
etc on the 4th of June, 15th of August, and 9th of October, and a butter
market on every Wednesday during the summer months, which is very extensive,
owing to the large number of wealthy farmers that reside in the neighbourhood.
About a half-a-mile to the south-east, on the Lickeen road, is an iron
spa, the waters of which are considered not inferior to those of the far-famed
Lisdoonvarna, which by the main road is about four and a half miles distant
from Kilfenora, and where every accommodation may be obtained at Reedy’s
Hotel. The Protestant Diocese of Kilfenora, or Fenabore, in the Archiepiscopal
Province of Cashel, is confined to the Baronies of Corcomroe and Burren,
in the County of Clare, and extends only twenty-three statue miles by
eleven. It only consisted of thirteen parishes and was, therefore the
smallest and poorest in the kingdom. The Protestant Diocese of Kilfenora
was united to that of Clonfert in 1741, and subsequently to Killaloe in
1752, which union still exists. The See lands comprise 9,237 acres and
the income is included in that of Killaloe. The chapter consists of a
Dean, Treasurer, and Archdeacon. There are neither Minor Canons, Prebendaries,
or Vicars Choral. A Consistorial Court was occasionally held here by the
Vicar-General.
The Bishops of Kilfenora are called in ancient records,
Bishops of Fenabore, and often “Episcopus Corcumrothensis”
or “Bishops of Corcomroe”, as may be seen by Clynn in his
division of the Episcopal Sees, at the end of his Annals, and also by
the Annals of Inisfall. They are also called “Bishops of Corcumroth”
and sometimes of “Kilfenoragh”. The See was called “Cellumabrach”
or the “Silent Cell” in the Census Cameralis, of Centius Camerarius
(Cardinal Cencio Savelli), afterwards Pope Honorarius III, who succeeded
Innocent III in 1216, and was in turn succeeded by Gregory IX in 1227.
The cathedral of Kilfenora was founded by St Fachnan, by some called Fechin.
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