Saint Tola is the name of a seventh-century Irish Roman Catholic saint also referred to as "a good soldier of Christ". Tola, the reputed son of Donchad is also referred to as Thola or Tolanus. He died between 733 and 737. Tola was the bishop Clonard in Meath, Ireland and a crozier ascribed to him now resides in the NMI in Dublin. He sent missionaries to Europe and also helped aid the expansion of various scholarly studies. About the year 700 he established a monastic community in northwestern Co. Clare, between the River Fergus and the Burren. Portions of his original church, a very early church, or at least portions of its foundations were incorporated into the 11th century Romanesque Church that lays in ruins near Corofin. The High Cross located here, at Dysert O'Dea (or the hermitage or desert of the O'Dea clan - who took control centuries later), is referred to as Tola's Cross, Crusha baunala or "the cross of blessing". It is from the 11th or 12th century, however, and there is no direct connect between the saint and this particular, late, high cross although one of the figures on the cross appears to be that of a bishop, perhaps St. Tola. His feast day is celebrated March 30.
