Kilfenora ( , meaning 'church of the fertile hillside' or 'church of the white brow') It is situated south of the karst limestone region known as the Burren. Since medieval times when it was the episcopal see of the Bishop of Kilfenora, it has been known as the "City of the Crosses" for its seven (now five) high crosses.

Village

thumb|right|A plaque on the Kilfenora village hall commemorating "Ted Fest"

According to the Census of 2011, 463 people lived in the Kilfenora area, up from 409 in 2006. However, most of them do not live inside the village. In 2011, there were just 220 inhabitants in the village proper, up from 169 in 2006 and only around 100 in 1980. In 1975 the "Burren Display Centre", an interpretative centre displaying the botany and wildlife of The Burren, in the former National School building, was opened by president Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh.

The TV show Father Ted (1995–98) used Kilfenora as an important filming location. This later gave rise to a "Father Ted Festival", first held in 2007. Kilfenora also gave its name to the Kilfenora Ceili Band. It features a bishop's throne, donated in 1981. There is also a large square stone baptismal font (possibly from around 1200). In addition, the church contains various tombs, but the interior is mostly devoid of ornamentation.

Burren Centre

The former Burren Display Centre today provides an updated exhibition on the Burren, a film, tea rooms and a craft store.

Civil parish

Kilfenora civil parish is on the east side of barony of Corcomroe. The parish is and covers . In 1845, the "Parliamentary Gazette" reported that about one-half of the surface is prime fattening-ground; about one-fourth is excellent rearing and tillage-land; and the remainder is mountain and bog, but only to a small extent unprofitable. The land, while of good quality, is also better cultivated than that of the adjacent districts on the south. According to tradition, the ecclesial presence at Kilfenora began with Saint Fachanan, who founded a church here in the 6th century. The first building was probably made of wood and followed by a stone construction. That church was burned down in 1055 by Murchad O'Brien. The diocese corresponded with the ancient territory of Corcomroe.

Part of the Archdiocese of Cashel, it only extended over 200 square miles of very thinly populated land. It was reckoned the poorest diocese, with only 13 parishes. Demand for the position of bishop thus was not great, but for 1189 a bishop is recorded. In 1660, Samuel Pullen was made Archbishop of Tuam and Kilfenora became part of his province.

Kilfenora was the site of the largest fair in north Clare, held here on 9 October from late mediaeval times until the early 19th century. It also noted that around 60 men were employed by a phosphate mine and that Kilfenora was "a very important village for cattle and sheep fairs". It is still used for occasional worship.

Catholic Parish

In the Roman Catholic Church, the ecclesiastical parish is merged with the civil parish of Kiltoraght. There are two churches in this parish: St. Fachtna's (in Kilfenora) and St Attracta's (Kiltoraght).

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  • Kilfenora Tourism and Community Website
  • Kilfenora at the Clare Library
  • The Annals of Kilfenora or Ye Citie of the Crosses by Charles Ffrench Blake-Forster at the Clare Library
  • The Stone Crosses of Kilfenora by Jack Flanagan at the Clare Library
  • Burren Centre website