Biography
Tola of Clonard
About Tola of Clonard
Tola is remembered as the founder of the early Christian monastery at Dysert O’Dea in County Clare and as a later bishop of Clonard. The archaeological survey of the site places his death between 733 and 737.
The Annals of Ulster preserve a brief notice of Tóle, bishop of Cluain Iraird, recording his death with an expression of esteem for his service to Christ.
The antiquary Thomas Johnson Westropp identifies Tola, also called Tolanus, as a son of Donchad. He records Tola’s traditional patronage of the church at Dysert O’Dea and a local feast on 30 March. His account also notes the absence of a detailed narrative of Tola’s time in Thomond.
Later objects kept Tola’s name before the community. A crozier reputed to have belonged to him was enshrined in the eleventh century. The surviving church, round tower and high cross at Dysert O’Dea largely belong to the twelfth century, long after his lifetime. They are memorials of the community’s continuing religious life.
The Diocese of Killaloe still includes Tola of Dysart among the saints associated with the diocese.
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