Killeany / Cill Éinne 11th/12th Century Round Tower The 3.2 metre high stump of a round tower is one of several monuments that remind us of the Early Christian monastery established here by St Enda in the late 5th/early 6th century. It is situated on the lower slopes of an extremely rugged landscape. This area has been a hub of Christian worship for over 1,000 years. St Eany's well, AKA Friar's well, is probably all that survives from the early monastery, the round tower and nearby high cross are probably contemporary with each other. There is no visible trace of an Early Christian church or the Franciscan friary that was established here in the 15th century. It is believed the round tower was complete up until Cromwellian soldiers demolished the tower and friary for material to build Arkin's Castle in the 17th century.
The tower is 4.7 metres in diameter externally and built with well-dressed limestone blocks on a very narrow plinth or offset. The site offers wonderful views of the mainland with Temple Benan perched on the hillside to the west of the tower. It is one of six round towers with visible remains in Galway, Ardrahan, Kilbennan, Kilcoona, Kilmaduagh, the tallest round tower in Ireland, and Roscam complete the list. |
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Situated: On Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, to the west of Killeany village.
Discovery Map 51: L 88624 07101. Last visit July 2026 Longitude: 9° 39' 49.9" W Latitude: 53° 06' 11.1" N Photos: José Gutiérrez. |
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Approx date: 11th/12th Century Dimensions: Height 3.2 m. Diameter: 4.82 m Door: None Type: Unknown |
Windows: Unknown Features: None Cap: Missing |
