Our Lady of Clonfert: 700-year-old statue, shrine, mass times

There’s something quietly compelling about a 700-year-old wooden statue that still draws visitors to a small church in rural Galway. The Shrine of Our Lady of Clonfert, formally recognised as a diocesan Marian shrine on 31 May 2022 (Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference), sits at the intersection of medieval history, local folklore, and living faith.

Statue age: late 13th/early 14th century ·
Location: St Brendan’s Church, Clonfert, County Galway ·
Diocesan shrine recognized: 31 May 2022 ·
Monastery founder: Saint Brendan the Navigator (c. 6th century) ·
Sunday Mass time: 10:00 AM

Eight key facts about the shrine at a glance:

What is the history of Our Lady of Clonfert?

The story weaves together a 700-year-old wooden statue, the legacy of a 6th-century saint, and a recent diocesan recognition that cemented its place as a formal pilgrimage site. The statue, carved from oak, dates from the late 13th or early 14th century. It is believed to have originally stood either in the medieval cathedral at Clonfert or in the nearby Abbey of Saint Mary de Portu Puro.

What is the history of Clonfert?

Clonfert’s Christian history begins with Saint Brendan the Navigator, who founded a monastery here around the 6th century. The monastery became a centre of learning and pilgrimage. The diocese of Clonfert was formally established in the 12th century, and the present church building dates from 1838, built during the Catholic Revival (Eyrecourt, Clonfert & Meelick parish page).

Who founded Clonfert monastery?

Saint Brendan the Navigator (c. 484–c. 577) is traditionally credited with founding the monastery at Clonfert. An Irish missionary and abbot, he is famous for his legendary sea voyages, though his foundation at Clonfert remains a tangible link to Ireland’s early monastic age.

The implication: Clonfert’s story is one of continuity through disruption, where a wooden statue links the medieval and modern worlds.

Where is Our Lady of Clonfert Church?

The shrine is located at St Brendan’s Church in the small village of Clonfert, County Galway, Ireland – close to the border with County Offaly (Diocese of Clonfert). The church is open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

The parish address for correspondence is Eyrecourt, Ballinasloe, County Galway H53 KX85. For GPS navigation, searching for “Clonfert Church, Co. Galway” will bring pilgrims directly to the site.

The pattern: even in a remote village, digital access makes the shrine globally reachable.

Can you provide a prayer to Our Lady of Clonfert?

Devotion to Our Lady of Clonfert centres on a simple yet heartfelt prayer of intercession. The diocese encourages the faithful to use the following traditional invocation:

Our Lady of Clonfert, pray for us. May we, like this ancient statue, stand firm in faith through every storm.

The novena to Our Lady of Clonfert is typically held in May, with a programme of prayers and Masses announced by the diocese. An official prayer card is available from the Diocesan Office in Eyrecourt.

Our Lady of Clonfert novena

The May novena draws local parishioners and visitors alike. Each evening includes the Rosary, a reflection on Mary’s role, and the shrine prayer. Dates are published on the diocesan website.

What this means: devotion to Our Lady of Clonfert is both structured through the novena and accessible through a daily prayer.

Who is the bishop of Clonfert?

The current bishop of Clonfert is Michael Duignan, who leads the diocese as of 2025. Bishop Duignan formally recognised the Shrine of Our Lady of Clonfert as a Diocesan Marian Shrine on 31 May 2022.

What parishes are located in the Clonfert Diocese?

The Diocese of Clonfert comprises approximately 25 parishes. These include Eyrecourt, Meelick, Clonfert itself, and many others spread across east Galway and parts of County Offaly. A full list is maintained on the diocesan website.

Who are the priests in Clonfert?

Each parish has its own priest or priests under the bishop’s authority. For the Eyrecourt, Clonfert and Meelick grouping, contact details are listed on the diocesan parish page. The diocesan office can provide the current assignments.

The implication: the shrine’s formal recognition is part of a broader diocesan identity that spans 25 parishes.

What are the mass times at Clonfert Church?

Sunday Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Clonfert is celebrated at 10:00 AM. For those unable to attend in person, the Mass is live-streamed on ChurchServices.tv/Clonfert.

Weekday mass times may vary depending on the liturgical season and local schedules. The diocese advises checking the official website or parish noticeboard for the most up-to-date information. The church remains open for private prayer from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.

Clonfert Church live stream

The live stream is available at churchservices.tv/clonfert. Viewers can watch the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass and, occasionally, special feast day liturgies. The service is provided by ChurchServices.tv, a platform that broadcasts Masses from churches across Ireland.

The catch: while Sunday Mass is fixed, weekday times require checking the diocese website for updates.

Voices from the diocese

The shrine of Our Lady of Clonfert is a sign of devotion to Our Lady in this region for the past 700 to 800 years. It is a treasure of faith and history that draws pilgrims and visitors alike. – Diocese of Clonfert website (Diocese of Clonfert)

This formal recognition as a Diocesan Marian Shrine is a beautiful acknowledgement of the deep Marian devotion that has been alive in the Diocese of Clonfert for centuries. – Announcement from the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, 31 May 2022

Local folklore tells of a woodcutter who discovered the statue hidden in a hollow oak tree after the tree began to bleed when cut. The same story says the statue’s left arm was severed during the discovery. – As recounted by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

For the Diocese of Clonfert, the shrine is more than a relic – it is a living centre of prayer and community identity. For pilgrims, the choice is clear: visit in person to stand before a 700-year-old witness to faith, or join via live stream and become part of a tradition that has endured through persecution, change, and time. Pilgrims who accept that invitation encounter not just a relic but a living tradition that has weathered persecution and time.

Frequently asked questions