Dysert O'Dea

Dysert O’Dea

At the southern tip of the Burren, near Corofin lie the ruins of the Dysert Oโ€™Dea church. The complex got its name from the Oโ€™Dea clan, whose fortress is located nearby.

The churchโ€™s remains from the 12th century stands in a spot of an early Christian monastery founded by St. Tola in the 8th century. Dysert Oโ€™Dea is famous for its romanesque doorways on the ruinโ€™s south side. Sophisticated geometric shapes as well as human and animal heads carved in stone are decorating the portalโ€™s round arch. A distinct Eastern influence can be reckoned in the faces โ€“ the crusades and trade routes to the East have left their traces. Outside the northern wall stands the stump of a once mighty round tower.

Leaving the complex over the eastern graveyard wall, you reach an impressive high cross, free-standing in the field. The 12th century high cross is well known as the โ€œWhite Cross Of Tulaโ€. It features many characteristics that are common for the transformation of the late crosses. For example, the typical ring of prior Celtic crosses is missing. Regarding the depicted figures it stands out that the bishop (presumably Tula) is shown taller than Jesus. The high crosses slowly evolved from being a ritual object to a sign of the churchโ€™s power.

Dysert O’Dea Information


Irish name: An Dรญseart

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Dysert O’Dea is located in the Burren, about 10,5 km northwest of Ennis in County Clare.

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