towers historical ireland

A monastery was founded here by St MacCullin in early Christian times, and the name Lusk derives from the cave (Irish 'lusca') where MacCullin was buried after his death in 497 AD.

The unusual square sixteenth-century belfry incorporates a sixth century Round Tower with three later towers built to match, all attached to a nineteenth-century church which contains some fine mediaeval tombs. Now the Lusk Heritage Centre, the belfry houses an exhibition on the mediaeval churches of North C...

For many, Round towers have come to be seen as a symbol of Ireland and a direct link with the glories of the monastic era. The Glendalough Round Tower is probably the finest surviving example in Ireland. Over 40 metres in height and with a circumference of 16 metres, access is through a doorway 3.5 metres above ground. Built for the dual purposes of serving as a watch-tower and place of refuge during the period of the Viking invasions, the tower was restored in 1876, the conical cap being reb...

The Westgate Tower combines with the ancient and historic Selskar Abbey to be the perfect setting to understand the historical development of Wexford. Situated in the heart of the Viking and Norman walled town, the Tower features a top-class audio-visual story on the cosmopolitan history of Wexford town, with spectacular special effects.

Upstairs in the tower there are beautiful Norman rooms and a fine battlements walk to the Abbey. Average length of visit is 1 hour approx....

Thoor Ballylee Castle is a four storey tower dating back to the 16th century, beautifully situated beside a stream. There was much to enchant William Butler Yeats on his first visit to Ballylee in 1885: the old square castle, the little river and the legend of a most beautiful local woman 'Mary Hynes, the Shining Flower of Ballylee.
He eventually bought the medieval tower, which was built by the Norman de Burgo family, with a cottage and garden for the grand sum of IR35.00 in 1916. The...

Ardmore is the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. St. Declan lived in the period 350-450 AD and christianised this area before the coming of St. Patrick. St. Declan's feast day is "Pattern Day" every 24th of July....

A 40 foot mote, originally topped by a wooden tower and dating to the early 13th century. It is said Cromwell positioned cannon on it during the ill fated siege of Callan in 1649....

Clones Round Tower, High Cross and Church The round tower is 75 feet, with a square headed doors and windows. Nearby is a shrine known as "St. Tighernach's shrine," which is carved out of stone. The shrine is named after St. Tighernach who founded a monastery in Clones in the 6th century, which the tower, cross and church belonged.

The cross is in two parts which did not belong together originally. On one side are the sacrifice of Isaac, Daniel in the Lions' Den and Adam and Eve. On th...

A strategic tower known as the Black Castle, guarding the very early river crossing. Access direct from the tow-path....

The ruins of Kilmacduagh Monastic Settlement lie close to the border of counties Galway and Clare, on the eastern fringes of the Burren. because it is somewhat off the beaten track, it tends to be rather unjustly overlooked as one of the most interesting examples of early monastic architecture in the west of Ireland.

The monastery's most notable feature is the 11th/12th century Round Tower measuring 111ft to the tip of its cap. The tower is unusual in that it tilts, like its more famou...

Imposing, gothic Style buildings near Lismore surrounded by pleasant wodland walks and picnic area. The small castle is not open to the public....