tuam cathedral and high crosses

The Cathedral:

A monastery was founded here by St. Jarlath in the late 5th or early 6th century. In the late 12th century a Romanesque nave-and-chancel church was built. Fire destroyed the nave in 1767, but the barrel-vaulted chancel is incorporated in the present Cathedral. It was added to in 1312, and for almost a century served as a porch. Its outstanding features are the chancel arch of six orders showing Scandinavian influence in its ornamentation, and a very fine east window. The Cathedral is a 19th century building.

In the aisle of the south nave is the shaft of a 12th century High Cross with interlacing and other ornament; it bears an inscription in Irish which being translated reads 'A prayer for the King, Turloch O'Connor. A prayer for the craftsman Giolla-Criost O'Toole' and another 'A prayer for the successor of Jarlath, Aedh O Hession, for whom this cross was made'.
To the north-west of the Cathedral are the remains of Temple Jarlath with an east window of c.1200.

Market Cross

This 12th century cross stands in the centre of the town, surrounded by a railing.