Dysert Aenghusa

Round Tower and Church

On our first visitto St Aengus's Hermitage in 2012, our eyes were scanning the horizon searching for the round tower. Suddenly it dawned on us - the tall white structure looming in the distance was the tower totally hidden behind scaffolding and white sheeting! Based on the date that conservation had begun on the church, we believe that the tower conservation may take a few more years to complete. José managed to visit the site again in 2021 when the work was completed. The tower is over 20 metres high and probably dates to around the 12th century. The church is thought to be of the late medieval period.

Aengus Culdee, a late 8th century Saint, joined the monastery at Clonenagh in Offaly. The Culdees - Servants of God - were a very strict religious community. Aengus came to Croom about 780AD and set up his hermitage here where he remained for only two years. He later entered the monastery at Tallaght. He died c.814 AD and was buried at Clonenagh.

The tower with new access stair