Our Lady of Clonfert: History, Mass & Novena 2026

Location: Clonfert, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, Ireland · Historical Origin: Over 700 years old (wooden statue carved from local tree) · Shrine Recognition: Diocesan Marian Shrine formally recognized on May 31, 2022 · Statue Type: White Madonna and Child (polychromed wood) · Live Stream: Available via churchservices.tv · Diocese: Clonfert

Six key facts, one pattern: the shrine bridges centuries of quiet local devotion with modern digital access.

Where is Our Lady of Clonfert?

Exact address

The Church of Our Lady of Clonfert is located in Clonfert, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, postal code H53 D702 (ChurchServices.tv (live-stream page with map)). It sits on the R356 road, about 2 km north of Eyrecourt.

How to get there

Clonfert is roughly 18 km south of Ballinasloe and about a one-hour drive from Galway City. The church is open every day from 8am to 10pm (according to ChurchServices.tv). Parking is available on-site.

Nearby landmarks

Just a few minutes’ walk away stands St. Brendan’s Cathedral, a medieval structure with a famous Romanesque doorway. The shrine and cathedral together make Clonfert a compact but historically rich stop in east Galway.

The pattern: this small village offers a concentrated dose of Irish ecclesiastical history within a short walk.

What is the story of Our Lady of Clonfert?

Origin of the statue

The statue—a White Madonna and Child—was carved from local wood, probably by a local artist, sometime between the 14th and 15th centuries (ChurchServices.tv describes it as “over 700 years old”). Its exact age remains uncertain, but it is universally referred to as over 700 years old.

Devotional history

According to Bishop of Clonfert, “The very existence of the Statue of Our Lady of Clonfert is a sign of considerable devotion to Our Lady in this part of the country for the past 700 years” (Diocese of Clonfert (diocesan press archive)). That devotion has remained continuous, even as the church building itself was rebuilt in the 19th century.

Modern recognition

On May 31, 2022, Bishop Michael Duignan formally recognized the shrine as a Diocesan Marian Shrine (Diocese of Clonfert official declaration). This move reaffirmed the importance of the statue and opened the door for expanded pilgrimage and digital outreach.

What this means: the shrine now has institutional backing to attract both pilgrims and online followers.

What is Clonfert famous for?

Clonfert Cathedral

St. Brendan’s Cathedral, dating from the 12th century, is one of the oldest cathedral buildings in Ireland. Its Romanesque doorway and carved stonework draw architecture enthusiasts from across the country. For those exploring Irish pilgrimage routes, see our Croagh Patrick pilgrimage guide.

Our Lady of Clonfert shrine

The Marian shrine housed in the modern church is the primary devotional draw. The wooden statue is the focal point of an annual novena and month-long May devotions (Diocese of Clonfert May Devotions programme).

Historical importance

Clonfert has been an ecclesiastical centre since the 6th century, when St. Brendan the Navigator founded a monastery here. The cathedral site has been in continuous use for nearly 1,500 years.

The implication: the shrine’s quiet modern devotion outshines the grand medieval structure in terms of active worship.

What time is Mass in Galway City?

Mass times at Our Lady of Clonfert

Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10am and live-streamed via ChurchServices.tv. The church is open daily 8am–10pm for private prayer. Weekday Mass schedules are posted on the parish Facebook page (Facebook / Diocese of Clonfert).

General Galway City Mass schedules

Galway City has multiple parishes with varying schedules. For those in the city, Galway Cathedral offers three Mass times on weekdays (11am, 1:10pm, 7:30pm) during novena periods (Galway Cathedral (novena times)). This article focuses on Clonfert, but the Galway Cathedral novena is a closely related regional devotion.

Live stream options

The Clonfert shrine stream is available at any time. The page also archives past liturgies, including the May Festival of Faith.

The catch: while Clonfert offers only one weekly public Mass, the live stream ensures worldwide access to the devotion.

What is the oldest Catholic cathedral in Ireland?

Clonfert Cathedral’s age

St. Brendan’s Cathedral in Clonfert dates from the 12th century, making it among the oldest intact cathedral buildings in Ireland. The site itself is older—the monastery founded here in the 6th century was a major centre of learning. For more on the region’s traditions, see our Wild Atlantic Way attractions and traditions.

Other old cathedrals

Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin was built in the 11th century but is now Church of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh (Roman Catholic) was completed in 1873, much newer. Clonfert’s claim to age rests on its continuous ecclesiastical use rather than its current building’s date.

Historical context

Clonfert’s Romanesque doorway, with its carved heads and geometric patterns, is a surviving example of medieval Irish stonework that draws scholars and tourists alike. For further reading, see Wikipedia’s entry on Clonfert Cathedral.

The pattern: age claims depend on whether you count the site or the standing structure.

For visitors and pilgrims, the choice is clear: visit the shrine in person for Sunday Mass, or join via live stream from anywhere in the world. The 2026 novena will mark the next chapter in a story that began with a wooden statue in a local tree—one that continues to draw people closer to what Bishop Duignan called “a sign of considerable devotion.”