The story of the history of Ireland can be told in a series of evocative symbols. We look at the magic of round towers in Ireland.
Synonymous with the Irish landscape, Irish round towers from early medieval times are dotted all around the island. They are a particularly intriguing aspect of the history of Ireland as there are such mixed reports on their purpose and history and many historians report that they were used as places of refuge or as bell towers.
A common theme of these round towers is that they are generally found near churches or monasteries and their doors typically face the west doorway of the church. This has allowed historians to determine the sites of former churches.
Glendalough
One of the most famous round towers in Ireland is the one at Glendalough, which is approximately 30 meters tall, sits beautifully in the stunning landscape there and is often used in photographs of Ireland. Set in the glacial valley of County Wicklow, Glendalough means ‘the valley of the two lakes’ and is the site of an early medieval monastic settlement founded back in the 6th century by Saint Kevin.
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| Glendalough Round Tower |
Kilmacduagh
The highest round tower in Ireland is not the best known, but it is sited at Kilmacduagh, set in a ruined abbey near the town of Gort, County Galway. It is said to be founded by Saint Colman, son of Duagh, back in the 7th century and was of huge importance in medieval times. The site also has a fine collection of churches.
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| Kilmacduagh Round Tower |
Clondalkin
Another interesting round tower in Ireland is one at Clondalkin which is the only Round Tower in Ireland to still retain its original conical cap. This 8th century round tower acts as a geographical landmark for the area and it stands at over 25 meters high. It is one of four remaining round towers in County Dublin – the others are at Swords, Lusk and Rathmichael.
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| Clondalkin Round Tower |
Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise in County Offaly is one of the most famous monastic sites in Ireland and the world. There are two towers which are a short distance from each other known as O’Rourke's Tower, situated in the north-west corner of the old graveyard and McCarthy’s Tower, which is thought to date from around 1160-70.
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| Clonmacnoise |
Rattoo
A very interesting tower is situated at Rattoo, County Kerry which is 27.4m high and includes a Sheela na Gig, which is a protective carving. The tower is about 25km north of Tralee and situated on the grounds of an ancient monastery thought to have been founded by Bishop Lughach.
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| Ratoo Round Tower |
Ireland’s round towers were thought to be a refuge in the time of raids from Vikings. Clerics would enter via a ladder which could then be ingeniously raised from the inside. The towers would also be used as a place to store relics and items of value.
The towers had another purpose as a belfry or bell tower and this was known in Irish as a cloigtheach.
Some of the other noteworthy round towers in Ireland are in Aghadoe and Rattoo, County Kerry; Aghagower, Killala, Meelick, Turlough and Balla County Mayo; Aghaviller, Kilree, Tullaherin, Kilkenny city and Grangefertagh County Kilkenny; Ardmore, County Waterford; Lusk, Swords and Rathmichael, Co. Dublin and
Oran, County Roscommon.
From Limerick to Monaghan…
Limerick has some very interesting round towers at Ardpatrick, Kilmallock and Carrigeen. In County Galway there are towers at Ardrahan, Kilcoona, Roscam, Kilmacduagh, Aran Islands and Kilbennan. In County Antrim there are towers at Armoy, Rams Island and Steeple. Sites in County Kildare include Castledermot, Taghadoe, Oughter Ard, Old Kilcullen and Kildare town. There is a significant round tower at Clones, County Monaghan and in Cork, the interesting sites are at Cloyne and Kinneigh.
Devenish, County Fermanagh is the site of a round tower and in County Meath there are round towers at Donaghmore and Kells. Dromiskin, Monasterboice and Faughart are the sites at County Louth and in County Down there are round towers at Drumbo and Nendrum.
From Clare to Donegal…
Over in County Clare round towers can be found at Drumcliffe, Killinaboy, Scattery Island, Mollaneen and Inish Cealtra; there’s a round tower at Drumcliffe; County Sligo and in Drumlane, County Cavan. Inishkeen, County Monaghan is the site of another round tower and in Tipperary there are round towers at Liathmore, Saint Patrick’s Rock and Roscrea. In County Down there are round towers at Maghera and Nendrum and there is a round tower in Seir Kieran, County Offaly. Saint Mullins is the site of a round tower in County Carlow; Timahoe in County Laois has another round tower and there is a round tower at Tory Island, County Donegal.
The entire landscape of Ireland is dotted with these exceptional historical landmarks and each one is worth further exploration for anybody with an interest in the history of Ireland.