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KILFENORA |
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The tiny village of KILFENORA , about four miles southeast of
Lisdoonvarna, is a great spot for traditional music and is renowned for
its year-round music pubs: Linnane's and Vaughan's . Kilfenora's music
festival, held over the October bank holiday weekend, is a wonderful and
strictly traditional event. The village is also home to the much-publicized
Burren Display Centre (April, May & Oct daily 10am-5pm; June-Sept daily
9.30am-6pm; £2.50/¬3.17). The centre explains clearly the basic
geography and geology of the Burren with the aid of a landscape model
and a film. The tearoom makes a good refreshment stop.
Next door stands Kilfenora Cathedral , certainly worth a visit for its
high crosses, the finest of which is the twelfth-century Doorty Cross ,
showing three bishops and what is probably Christ's entry into Jerusalem,
with beautiful Celtic patterning. Nearby in the churchyard are remains
of two other twelfth-century high crosses, one near the northwest
corner, one opposite the church door. Wander through the gateway behind
the church and you'll see a fourth cross, with a decorated Crucifixion,
in the field to the west. The cathedral itself was built in 1190 and
altered in the fifteenth century. It has a roofless chancel with a
finely carved triple-light east window and two effigies of bishops,
possibly fourteenth century.
For B&B , try Mrs Murphy's , Main St (tel 065/708 8040;
£26-33/¬33.01-41.90). Alternatively, you can stay at The Cottage Hostel
, Lissylisheen, four and a half miles north of here - it's tricky to
find so ask locally for directions. It's a small, charming place and
also offers camping (tel 086/801 5566).
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