An ablation electrode assembly having a longitudinal axis, the assembly comprising: an electrode core member comprising a thermal insulator having a reduced thermal conductivity, the electrode core member having: a distal end; a proximal end; and at least one irrigation passageway; an electrode shell comprising an electrically conductive material, the electrode shell defining an inner volume and the electrode shell having: a distal end; and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the electrode shell is configured for connection to the distal end of the electrode core member and wherein the electrode shell is sufficiently flexible for deflection of the distal end of the electrode shell relative to the longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly; an irrigant distribution element surrounding at least a portion of the electrode core member, the irrigant distribution element having: a proximal end; and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the irrigant distribution element defines a circumferential irrigation port between the irrigant distribution element and the electrode core member, the irrigation port being fluidly connected to the at least one irrigation passageway, wherein the electrode core member further comprises: an outer surface; an inner surface defining an inner cavity, wherein the at least one irrigation passageway extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the electrode core member, and an axially extending passageway extending from the inner cavity of the electrode core member toward the distal end of the electrode shell, further comprising at least one port extending from the axially extending passageway to the distal end of the electrode shell, wherein the port is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly. an electrode core member comprising a thermal insulator having a reduced thermal conductivity, the electrode core member having: a distal end; a proximal end; and at least one irrigation passageway; a distal end; a proximal end; and at least one irrigation passageway; an electrode shell comprising an electrically conductive material, the electrode shell defining an inner volume and the electrode shell having: a distal end; and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the electrode shell is configured for connection to the distal end of the electrode core member and wherein the electrode shell is sufficiently flexible for deflection of the distal end of the electrode shell relative to the longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly; a distal end; and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the electrode shell is configured for connection to the distal end of the electrode core member and wherein the electrode shell is sufficiently flexible for deflection of the distal end of the electrode shell relative to the longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly; an irrigant distribution element surrounding at least a portion of the electrode core member, the irrigant distribution element having: a proximal end; and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the irrigant distribution element defines a circumferential irrigation port between the irrigant distribution element and the electrode core member, the irrigation port being fluidly connected to the at least one irrigation passageway, a proximal end; and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the irrigant distribution element defines a circumferential irrigation port between the irrigant distribution element and the electrode core member, the irrigation port being fluidly connected to the at least one irrigation passageway, wherein the electrode core member further comprises: an outer surface; an inner surface defining an inner cavity, wherein the at least one irrigation passageway extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the electrode core member, and an axially extending passageway extending from the inner cavity of the electrode core member toward the distal end of the electrode shell, further comprising at least one port extending from the axially extending passageway to the distal end of the electrode shell, wherein the port is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly. an outer surface; an inner surface defining an inner cavity, wherein the at least one irrigation passageway extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the electrode core member, and an axially extending passageway extending from the inner cavity of the electrode core member toward the distal end of the electrode shell, further comprising at least one port extending from the axially extending passageway to the distal end of the electrode shell, wherein the port is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly.