Aghadoe Church (ruins)

About this place

Aghadoe Cathedral was a church that may have been the seat of a bishop at Aghadoe, Ireland (later joined with the Bishopric of Ardfert). The now ruined cathedral overlooks the Lakes of Killarney from Aghadoe, a few miles from Killarney. Aghadoe may have been the site of a church as early as the seventh century, but extant remains are of a stone structure built in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Scottish journalist Charles Mackay visited Famine Ireland in the summer of 1849 and travelled to Killarney. He comments extensively on the grounds around Aghadoe Cathedral and how they were being used as a burial site for famine victims from the local workhouse. Mackay notes that within the one-acre church grounds surrounding the cathedral, only a small corner was used for workhouse burials. He estimates that over the past three years, from 1846 to 1849, approximately 2,000 workhouse famine victims were buried here.

Visitor Information

Heritage status

Protected Heritage Site

Getting There & Parking

Aghadoe Church (ruins) is located in County Kerry, roughly 5 km (5 min drive) from Killarney and 337 km (4h 55m) from Dublin. The nearest public car park is 176 m away. Nearby highlights within a short drive include Aghadoe Round Tower (0.0 km away).