ardmore church and round tower

The earliest monastery was founded here by St. Declan who is alleged to have been a bishop in Munster when St. Patrick arrived, and who is one of the main supports for the belief in the existence of Christianity in the south of Ireland before St. Patrick. Ardmore was recognised as a Cathedral and had its bishop in 1170. In 1591 it was leased to Sir Walter Raleigh who only held it for 2 years. In 1642 the confederate army hiding in the Church and Round Tower were besieged by the English. When they surrendered, 117 out of 154 of them were hanged on the spot. The Round Tower rises in three steps to a height of 95 feet, and is one of the best-preserved examples in Ireland. The church, known as the 'Cathedral', was erected by Meolettrim O Duibh-rathra sometime before his death in 1203, but was built in a number of stages. It is probable that he utilised the remainder of an older church in the lowest portion of his church. The building has most unusual features: the recessed Romanesque west window, the arcades on the interior wall, and a pointed chancel arch.