Steeped in culture and surrounded by castles, iron age forts and ancient tombs, Kilfenora is a gateway to the world-famous Burren region with many of North Clare’s best-known attractions on the village’s doorstep.
Kilfenora is referred to as the smallest city in the world due to its 11th century Cathedral, built on the spot where St Fachtna established an abbey in the 6th century. The village is also called the City of the Crosses due to its unique array of carved high crosses from the 9th and 10th century.
A little-known quirk about the village is that it boasts two bishops. The Pope is the Catholic Bishop of Kilfenora under a Papal Dictate of 1883. There is a Church of Ireland bishop too, whose enthronement chair is one of many fascinating features of the Cathedral interior.
Kilfenora is home to the Burren Visitor Centre, founded in 1975 as Ireland’s first interpretive centre.
- This is the main North Clare information point for tourists and walkers, as well as the official ‘front door’ to the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.
- Its extensive Burren exhibition inspires visitors to explore the area’s amazing topography.
- The craft shop has unique products made by local producers (some available online).
- Its famous Tea Rooms provides delicious home-made meals, snacks and beverages.
- Guided tours of the village – including the Cathedral and Holy Well – can be booked here.
Kilfenora is celebrated for its distinctive music and dance tradition and is home to the Kilfenora Céilí Band, one of the longest standing music ensembles in the world (founded 1909). Ireland’s President opened the outstanding exhibition about the band and local music in the Burren Visitor Centre in 2015. The village hosts an annual traditional music festival, with the Band leading an open-air céilí.
Glanquin Farmhouse – known better as ‘Father Ted’s Parochial House’ – is located nearby while some of the most famous episodes of this cult TV series were staged in and around the village; Ted Tours in Kilfenora provides trips to local filming locations.
Kilfenora is the ideal start point for cycling around the Burren, and Kilfenora-based E-Whizz offers fully guided and supported e-bike tours.
Varied local accommodation options are available including self-catering and glamping, making Kilfenora an ideal base during your visit to the Burren National Park and the Geopark. As well as being centrally located between the heritage towns of Ennistymon, Corofin and Lisdoonvarna, Kilfenora is close to the popular Burren attractions of the Aillwee Cave Experience, Mullaghmore, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Caherconnell Stone Fort, the Michael Cusack Centre and Corcomroe Abbey.
