Aghadoe Cathedral
Encyclopedia
Aghadoe Cathedral was a church that may have been the seat of a bishop at Aghadoe
, Ireland
(later joined with the Bishopric of Ardfert
). The now ruined cathedral
overlooks the Lakes of Killarney
from Aghadoe
, a few miles from Killarney
. Aghadoe may have been the site of a church as early as the seventh century, but extant remains are of a stone structure built in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.
: Achadh Deo place with two yews") may have began as a pagan religious site. The site has also been associated with the fifth century missionary St. Abban, but seventh century ogham
stones mark the first clear evidence of Aghadoe being used as a important site. According to legend, St. Finian founded a monastery at Aghadoe in the sixth or seventh century. The first written record of a monastery dates from 939 AD in the Annals of Innisfallen where the Aghadoe monastery is referred to as the "Old Abbey." The monastery at Aghadoe had a close relationship with the one on nearby Innisfallen Island
. Maelsuthain O'Carroll, one of Innisfallen's greatest scholars, was buried at Aghadoe after his death in 1010 AD, and a legend suggests that the two monasteries were connected by a causeway across Loch Lein. In 1027 the Annals make the first reference to a stone building on the site, noting the construction of Damh Liag Maenig (Maenach’s house of stone). Construction on the round tower
began the same year. Aghadoe witnessed the turbulence of the times. In 1061, an O'Cathail, the heir to the local dynasty of Eóganacht Locha Léin
, was taken from the church and murdered. In the middle of the twelfth century Amhlaoibh Mór Ó Donoghue, the leader of the Ó Donoghue—the new rulers of Eóganacht Locha Léin, had a new church building, later called the "Great Church," constructed in the Romanesque style
and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The new structure, completed in 1158, incorporated part of the old stone building in its northwest section and makes up the western section of the extant remains. When Amhlaoibh Mór Ó Donoghue was killed, his body was carried to Aghadoe and interred in the church. The final addition to the church was constructed in the twelfth century. The addition served as a chancel
or choir
, and was later separated from the rest of the church by a wall.
After being incorporated into the Bishopric of Ardfert, Aghadoe operated as a parish church under an archdeacon
. The church is mentioned in a 1615 report, but it is excluded from a list of abbeys in the report suggesting it had become only an archdeaconry. The town of Aghadoe was sacked in the 1650s by Cromwell's
forces. By 1740, Aghadoe is no longer listed as an active parish and seems to have ceased functioning.
have been found at Aghadoe. One is currently cemented in the south wall of the chancel and bears an inscription transcribed as "BRRUANANN" The inscription may have actually been intended as "BRREANANN," a possible reference to St. Brendan. A second ogham stone has since gone missing, but its inscription was transcribed as "GGVVSS MN." The presence of these ogham stones suggests the site's importance dates back to the mid-seventh century. Another early Christian artifact, a bullaun
, can be found outside of church by the northwest corner of the nave. The bullaun may have been originally been used as a quern-stone
, but it was later used as a holy water receptacle and rainwater collected in the hollow of the stone had healing properties according to lore.
The "Aghadoe Crosier" from Aghadoe was made of walrus ivory and carved in the Urnes style
of the Vikings. The carvings are similar to those on the jambs of Romanesque doorway to the cathedral. Another crosier, possibly associated with Aghadoe, was found in the lakes in 1867 by a fisherman who thought it was a salmon.
According to the Annals of Innisfallen, Aghadoe Cathedral's high cross
toppled in a strong wind in 1282.
A carved stone fragment found on the site is thought to date from the seventeenth century. It depicts the crucification with a female figure passing a chalice to Christ on the cross. The stone suggests Aghadoe was still used as a religious site during the seventeenth century.
Aghadoe
Aghadoe is a large townland overlooking the town and lakes of Killarney in Ireland. Officially it is also a parish, although the parish is larger than the area normally associated with the name. The area is famous for its views of the lakes and islands, including Innisfallen Island...
, 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...
(later joined with the Bishopric of Ardfert
Bishop of Ardfert and Aghadoe
The Bishop of Ardfert and Aghadoe was an episcopal title which took its name after the village of Ardfert and townland of Aghadoe, both in County Kerry, Ireland.-History:...
). The now ruined cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
overlooks the Lakes of Killarney
Lakes of Killarney
The Lakes of Killarney are a renowned scenic attraction located near Killarney, County Kerry, in Ireland. They consist of three lakes - Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and Upper Lake.Lough Leane is the largest of the three lakes...
from Aghadoe
Aghadoe
Aghadoe is a large townland overlooking the town and lakes of Killarney in Ireland. Officially it is also a parish, although the parish is larger than the area normally associated with the name. The area is famous for its views of the lakes and islands, including Innisfallen Island...
, a few miles from Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
. Aghadoe may have been the site of a church as early as the seventh century, but extant remains are of a stone structure built in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.
History
Aghadoe, (IrishIrish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
: Achadh Deo place with two yews") may have began as a pagan religious site. The site has also been associated with the fifth century missionary St. Abban, but seventh century ogham
Ogham
Ogham is an Early Medieval alphabet used primarily to write the Old Irish language, and occasionally the Brythonic language. Ogham is sometimes called the "Celtic Tree Alphabet", based on a High Medieval Bríatharogam tradition ascribing names of trees to the individual letters.There are roughly...
stones mark the first clear evidence of Aghadoe being used as a important site. According to legend, St. Finian founded a monastery at Aghadoe in the sixth or seventh century. The first written record of a monastery dates from 939 AD in the Annals of Innisfallen where the Aghadoe monastery is referred to as the "Old Abbey." The monastery at Aghadoe had a close relationship with the one on nearby Innisfallen Island
Innisfallen Island
Innisfallen or Inishfallen is an island in Lough Leane; one of the three Lakes of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. It is home to the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey, one of the most impressive archaeological remains dating from the early Christian period found in the Killarney National Park. The...
. Maelsuthain O'Carroll, one of Innisfallen's greatest scholars, was buried at Aghadoe after his death in 1010 AD, and a legend suggests that the two monasteries were connected by a causeway across Loch Lein. In 1027 the Annals make the first reference to a stone building on the site, noting the construction of Damh Liag Maenig (Maenach’s house of stone). Construction on the round tower
Irish round tower
Irish round towers , Cloigthithe – literally "bell house") are early medieval stone towers of a type found mainly in Ireland, with three in Scotland and one on the Isle of Man...
began the same year. Aghadoe witnessed the turbulence of the times. In 1061, an O'Cathail, the heir to the local dynasty of Eóganacht Locha Léin
Eóganacht Locha Léin
Eóganacht Locha Léin or Ui Caipre Luachra were a branch of the ruling Eoganachta of Munster. Their territory was in Iarmuman or West Munster. Luachair is the old name of a large district on the borders of Co Cork, Kerry and Limerick...
, was taken from the church and murdered. In the middle of the twelfth century Amhlaoibh Mór Ó Donoghue, the leader of the Ó Donoghue—the new rulers of Eóganacht Locha Léin, had a new church building, later called the "Great Church," constructed in the Romanesque style
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The new structure, completed in 1158, incorporated part of the old stone building in its northwest section and makes up the western section of the extant remains. When Amhlaoibh Mór Ó Donoghue was killed, his body was carried to Aghadoe and interred in the church. The final addition to the church was constructed in the twelfth century. The addition served as a chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
or choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, and was later separated from the rest of the church by a wall.
After being incorporated into the Bishopric of Ardfert, Aghadoe operated as a parish church under an archdeacon
Archdeacon
An archdeacon is a senior clergy position in Anglicanism, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, Chaldean Catholic, and some other Christian denominations, above that of most clergy and below a bishop. In the High Middle Ages it was the most senior diocesan position below a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church...
. The church is mentioned in a 1615 report, but it is excluded from a list of abbeys in the report suggesting it had become only an archdeaconry. The town of Aghadoe was sacked in the 1650s by Cromwell's
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....
forces. By 1740, Aghadoe is no longer listed as an active parish and seems to have ceased functioning.
Artifacts
Two ogham stonesOgham
Ogham is an Early Medieval alphabet used primarily to write the Old Irish language, and occasionally the Brythonic language. Ogham is sometimes called the "Celtic Tree Alphabet", based on a High Medieval Bríatharogam tradition ascribing names of trees to the individual letters.There are roughly...
have been found at Aghadoe. One is currently cemented in the south wall of the chancel and bears an inscription transcribed as "BRRUANANN" The inscription may have actually been intended as "BRREANANN," a possible reference to St. Brendan. A second ogham stone has since gone missing, but its inscription was transcribed as "GGVVSS MN." The presence of these ogham stones suggests the site's importance dates back to the mid-seventh century. Another early Christian artifact, a bullaun
Bullaun
A bullaun is the term used for the depression in a stone which is often water filled. Natural rounded boulders or pebbles may sit in the bullaun...
, can be found outside of church by the northwest corner of the nave. The bullaun may have been originally been used as a quern-stone
Quern-stone
Quern-stones are stone tools for hand grinding a wide variety of materials. They were used in pairs. The lower, stationary, stone is called a quern, whilst the upper, mobile, stone is called a handstone...
, but it was later used as a holy water receptacle and rainwater collected in the hollow of the stone had healing properties according to lore.
The "Aghadoe Crosier" from Aghadoe was made of walrus ivory and carved in the Urnes style
Urnes style
The Urnes style was the last phase of Scandinavian animal art during the second half of the 11th century and in the early 12th century. The preceding phases of Scandinavia's Viking Age animal ornamentation are usually categorized as Oseberg style, Borre style, Jelling style, Mammen style and...
of the Vikings. The carvings are similar to those on the jambs of Romanesque doorway to the cathedral. Another crosier, possibly associated with Aghadoe, was found in the lakes in 1867 by a fisherman who thought it was a salmon.
According to the Annals of Innisfallen, Aghadoe Cathedral's high cross
High cross
A high cross or standing cross is a free-standing Christian cross made of stone and often richly decorated. There was a unique Early Medieval tradition in Ireland and Britain of raising large sculpted stone crosses, usually outdoors...
toppled in a strong wind in 1282.
A carved stone fragment found on the site is thought to date from the seventeenth century. It depicts the crucification with a female figure passing a chalice to Christ on the cross. The stone suggests Aghadoe was still used as a religious site during the seventeenth century.