Sorted by: Incomplete Round Towers
Aghadoe Church and Round Tower, Co. Kerry
This is a very nice church with a good example of a Romanesque doorway. The 13th and 17th century carvings are interesting. The broken ogham stone adds a bit more historial charm to the place.
Aghagower Round Tower and Church Ruins, Co. Mayo
St Patrick is said to have founded the monastery here and made St. Senach bishop. The round tower was built between 973 and 1013 and, legend has it, the top section, having been struck by lightening, landed on the hill of Tavenish, half a mile distant. An enterprising local woman picked up the cap stone and whisked it off in her apron to the church where it is still to be seen today! There is a very small Sheela na Gig embedded into the stonework near the holy well.
St. Olcan is said to have been ordained by St Patrick and founded the monastery here about 460 AD. The only trace of an early monastery is the stump of the Round Tower which stands in the grounds of St. Patrick's Parish Church on the edge of the village. The tower is about 11 m high and has three storeys. At a time, Armoy was the main religious settlement in the Irish part of the kingdom of Dal Riata.
St Mochua is said to have founded a monastery at Balla in either 637 or 694. It was destroyed by fire in 1179. The tower is approximately 10m tall and has two doors. The one at ground level is presumably a later addition. The original door has a simple lintel and is 5m or so off the ground.
Castledermot Round Tower and High Crosses, Co. Kildare
The town contains a 14th century Franciscan Abbey, a Hibernian-Romanesque arch, a 10th century round tower, two 9th century high crosses and a number of ancient stones and grave slabs.
Clones Round Tower, High Cross and Church Ruins, Co. Monaghan
The historic town of Clones developed around a monastery founded by St. Tighernach in the 6th century. Clones Round Tower is situated in the graveyard and was built around 10th century. The tower which is now about 23m high was originally much higher but the conical cap and top storey fell some time between 1591 and 1739. The High Cross dating from the 9th or 10th century. The panels on the front and back illustrate scenes from the Scriptures and the New Testament.
Donaghmore Round Tower and Church Ruins, Co. Meath
This is the site of a very early Christian settlement, reputed to have been founded by Saint Patrick, who placed his disciple, Cassan, in charge. The settlement included the church and a fine round tower which was probably built sometime in the 10th century.
Drumlane Augustinian Abbey and Round Tower, Co. Cavan
The present buildings occupy the site of a 6th century monastery founded by St. Mogue, a pupil of St. David of Wales. The tower shows two periods of construction, with the base twelfth century in origin, and the upper portion dating from the fifteenth century. Medieval carvings can be seen in the monastery itself as well as the tower. An unusual feature of the Round Tower is the engraving of a cock on the north face, thought to symbolise the resurrection.
Dysert O'Dea Castle, Abbey, Round Tower, High Cross and Archeology Center, Co. Clare
The castle has been restored to include a museum and various interesting exhibitions. The Church (with the romanesque style doorway), the Round Tower, and the High Cross nearby were built in the 12th century.
Fertagh / Grangefertagh Round Tower and Church Ruins, Co. Kilkenny
The monastery at Grangefertagh (Fertagh) was probably founded by St. Ciaran (Kieran) of Seir in the 6th century. The site was raided by Vikings in 861 and in 1156 the High King, Murtagh MacNeale burned the Round Tower. The ruined church nearby contains the tomb. The tomb supports the double effigy of MacGillpatrick and his wife.