Killaloe ☘️ : activities & accommodation • Go-to-Ireland.com

Explore Killaloe

Tourist attractions

Archaeological sites 1 Irish cathedrals 1 Irish Oratory 1 Irish ringforts 1 Megaliths in Ireland 1

Killaloe : the map

Tourist attractions

Restaurants, Irish pubs

Where to sleep

Campsites

Killaloe : Must-See Attractions

Beal Boru

Killaloe

3.13/5 (8 votes)

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Irish cathedrals

St Flannan’s Cathedral

St Flannan's Cathedral is a pretty 14th-century cathedral in Killaloe. It is one of the main sites to visit in the village.

2.60/5 (5 votes)

Irish Oratory

St Lua’s oratory

Passing through the village of Killaloe in County Clare? Don't miss St Lua's oratory, dating from the 12th century. Its condition is worth the detour!

4.00/5 (3 votes)

Inspiration

Killaloe

Killaloe is a village located in the east of County Clare, Ireland, on the shores of Lough Derg. Known as the birthplace of the famous King Brian Boru, the village is also popular for its walking trails and remarkable historical remains!

History of Killaloe

Birthplace of Brian Boru

Killaloe traces its origins back to the 6th century, when St Lua founded a monastery on an island in the Shannon River, less than a kilometer from Killaloe (St Lua’s Oratory). Although the building was finally moved to the village in 1920, this monastery enabled the village to enjoy an important cultural influence until the 12th century.

The 10th century saw the birth of Brian Boru, the man who extended his power over the Kingdom of Ireland after defeating the Vikings. Between 1002 and 1014, Brian Boru even decided to make Killaloe the official capital of the Kingdom. He had his palace built there, the Kincora (Ceann Coradh in Irish Gaelic), located on the heights where the village’s present-day Catholic church stands.

In 1650, Oliver Cromwell spent 10 days on the opposite bank of the Shannon, in Ballina. His presence caused panic in the village, but Killaloe was eventually spared.

Most of the houses in the lower part of the village date from the 18th century.