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| KILLALOE CATHEDRAL, CO. CLARE. -The sketch shows the square, battlemented tower of the cathedral, rising from the junction of the nave and transepts, and bearing every evidence of great antiquity. Most of the other portions of the edifice shown in the picture are comparatively modern, although the ivy, with which they are luxuriantly bearded, gives them quite a venerable appearance. Several stately tombs occupy the ancient graveyard in which repose the remains of many of the warlike native princes of Thomond. The choir of the cathedral is now used as a parish church. The edifice is often confounded with another ancient structure, which stands within the churchyard and is credited by Dr. Petrie to the pious St. Flannan, successor of St. Molua, after whom Killaloe is named. It is said that King Brian Boru, of glorious memory, attended divine service in St. Flannan's Church, which is a curious stone-rooted structure. Still another very ancient church, or chapel, founded by St. Molua, stands on the adjacent island in the Shannon, but it has been allowed to fall into decay and only bare walls and broken arches remain to tell the tale of its former splendor. "There a temple in ruin stands Fashioned by long forgotted hands." |
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