An irrigated ablation electrode assembly (200; 310; 320; 330; 340; 350; 360) for use with an irrigated catheter device, the irrigated ablation electrode assembly (200; 310; 320; 330; 340; 350; 360) comprising: a proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364) having an external surface; a distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) connected with the proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364) and having an external surface, the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) including an electrode; and at least one passageway (216; 316; 326; 336; 346; 356; 366) within the irrigated ablation electrode assembly having an outlet for a fluid, preferably within the proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364) and the outlet disposed at the external surface of the proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364); wherein the external surface of the proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364) and the external surface of the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) meet at an intersection; and wherein the at least one passageway (216; 316; 326; 336; 346; 356; 366) is configured to direct a fluid flow through the outlet toward a region adjacent the intersection, characterized in that the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) includes a distal flow path (220; 318; 328; 338; 348; 358; 368) for the fluid extending along a longitudinal axis of the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362), and the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) has either an external surface that includes a rounded distal portion that is non-spherical and a circular cylindrical proximal portion, or an external surface that includes a generally elliptical distal portion and a tapered proximal portion narrowing toward the proximal member, or an external surface that includes a generally spherical distal portion and a proximal neck portion that is circular cylindrical and narrower than the generally spherical distal portion, or an external surface that includes a generally flat tip surrounded by a rounded edge portion and a circular cylindrical proximal portion, or an external surface that includes a generally flat tip surrounded by a chamfered edge portion and a circular cylindrical proximal portion a proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364) having an external surface; a distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) connected with the proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364) and having an external surface, the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) including an electrode; and at least one passageway (216; 316; 326; 336; 346; 356; 366) within the irrigated ablation electrode assembly having an outlet for a fluid, preferably within the proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364) and the outlet disposed at the external surface of the proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364); wherein the external surface of the proximal member (206; 314; 324; 334; 344; 354; 364) and the external surface of the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) meet at an intersection; and wherein the at least one passageway (216; 316; 326; 336; 346; 356; 366) is configured to direct a fluid flow through the outlet toward a region adjacent the intersection, the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) includes a distal flow path (220; 318; 328; 338; 348; 358; 368) for the fluid extending along a longitudinal axis of the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362), and the distal member (202; 312; 322; 332; 342; 352; 362) has either an external surface that includes a rounded distal portion that is non-spherical and a circular cylindrical proximal portion, or an external surface that includes a generally elliptical distal portion and a tapered proximal portion narrowing toward the proximal member, or an external surface that includes a generally spherical distal portion and a proximal neck portion that is circular cylindrical and narrower than the generally spherical distal portion, or an external surface that includes a generally flat tip surrounded by a rounded edge portion and a circular cylindrical proximal portion, or an external surface that includes a generally flat tip surrounded by a chamfered edge portion and a circular cylindrical proximal portion