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Did you Know?

In 1986, three submerged canoes estimated to be 2,000-2,500 years old were found on the northern side of Doon Lake near Broadford not far from Lough Derg. The lake is a popular angling and tourist centre.

The world record for the longest running traitional Irish music session is held by a pub in Feakle, Co. Clare close to Lough Derg. A music session has run  unbroken at Shortts Pub in the village every Thursday night for 36 years!

St.Molua’s oratory, which can be seen in the grounds of the Catholic Church in Killaloe/Ballina, originally stood on Friar’s Island on the River Shannon. When the Shannon Hydro-electric Scheme was being developed in 1929, the island was flooded and submerged, and the oratory was removed and re-erected in Killaloe.

The famous monastic island called Holy Island on Lough Derg formed part of two different counties at varying stages in the 19th century. Prior to 1849 it formed part of Clare but, in that year, it was transferred to Co. Galway. In 1899, however, soon after the passing of the Local Government Act, it was restored to Clare. You can take a boat trip to the island from Mountshannon, Co. Clare – see Visit Monastic Holy Island

The oldest church in continuous use in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales is St. Cronan’s Church in Tuamgraney, Co. Clare which was built before 964 AD. When you walk through the doorway of the Church on your visit, marvel at how it has remained unaltered since it was built c 950 AD! The interesting East Clare Heritage Centre is also based at the Church.

People from Clare are still laid to rest in the cemetery on Holy Island just off the shoreline on Lough Derg. Coffins are transported from the Clare mainland in small boats. You can make a more enjoyable journey by catching a boat trip to the famous monastic island from Mountshannon – see Visit Monastic Holy Island

Holy Island is also a very popular venue for celebrating your joyous wedding day in a very special way. You can travel to the island to get a special Irish blessing on this hallowed monastic site. Earlier, you can receive a blessing in ancient St. Cronan’s Church at nearby Tuamgraney – the oldest church in continuous use in Ireland and Great Britain. Accommodation and other arrangements are also possible in the area – check out the details at www.holyislandweddings.com/

The splendid royal palace of Kincora, from where the great and last High King of Ireland, Brian Boru ruled his kingdom, stood on a hill above the bridge at Killaloe. Unfortunately no direct trace remains of the palace, and the site is now occupied by the Catholic Church, The Green and neighbouring houses. There are, however, a number of sites and features in the Killaloe/Ballina area that remind the visitor of this golden era – find out more at the Brian Boru Heritage Centre in Killaloe.

The beautiful St. Flannan’s Cathedral in Killaloe contains a direct link with the era of Brian Boru. An Ogham-Runic stone currently situated on a pedestal near a magnificent Romanesque doorway there is thought to date from c1000AD. A Viking convert, Thorgrim is reputed to have carved it, in atonement for spoiling churches and monasteries. It is the only known example of a stone with a bilingual inscription in Irish Ogham and Scandinavian Runes.