Old Kilcullen Round Tower, Kildare

Old Kilcullen

Round Tower

The monastic remains at Old Kilcullen is a site I keep revisiting. This is a lovely graveyard situated on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside, with views of the Wicklow mountains. The most dominating feature of the monastic remains founded by St Patrick is the round tower. Because of the situation the tower appears much taller than 11 metres it is to the highest point. The majority of it is only 9 metres tall. The damage to the top of the tower is thought to have happened at a battle here during the 1798 rebellion.

The Doorway

There is only one remaining window in the drum, originally there were at least five. The round heaed doorway, pictured above, is made from large granite blocks and is situated almost two metres above ground level. The circumference at the base of the tower is 14.5 metres. Also present at the site is the low remains of a church, the shafts of two high crosses and the base of another. St MacTail (died 548) who was one of the monasteries earliest bishops is said to be depicted on the shaft of one of the crosses.


	Old Kilcullen Round Tower The monastic remains at Old Kilcullen is a site I keep revisiting. This is a lovely graveyard situated on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside, with views of the Wicklow mountains. The most dominating feature of the monastic remains founded by St Patrick is the round tower. Because of the situation the tower appears much taller than 11 metres it is to the highest point. The majority of it is only 9 metres tall. The damage to the top of the tower is thought to have happened at a battle here during the 1798 rebellion. There is only one remaining window in the drum, originally there were at least five. The round heaed doorway, pictured above, is made from large granite blocks and is situated almost two metres above ground level. The circumference at the base of the tower is 14.5 metres. Also present at the site is the low remains of a church, the shafts of two high crosses and the base of another. St MacTail (died 548) who was one of the monasteries earliest bishops is said to be depicted on the shaft of one of the crosses.
Situated: From Dublin take the N7 West then the N9 South, take the Kilcullen exit then turn right onto the N78 heading SW. Take the second left, this takes you up to a graveyard. Discovery Map 55: N 8297 0706. Last visit April 2012. Longitude: 6° 45' 39" W Latitude: 53° 6' 28" N Google Map Photos: Jim Dempsey.
Approx date: 11th Century. Dimensions: Height 11 m. Diameter: 4.60 m. Door: Above ground 1.8 m. Type: Round.	Windows: 1 Lintelled. Features: None. Cap: Missing.