Tullaherin Round Tower The early 9th Century Round Tower contains 6 storeys in it's 22.5 metre height, although the upper layer was added later, perhaps when the adjacent church was built or the chancel was added. This upper storey has partially collapsed and is capless, but once contained eight windows, a feature it shares only with the Round Tower at Clonmacnoise. The doorway is 3.7 metres above ground level but is oddly misshapen without facing blocks, most likely the victim of stone robbers. All the windows, including those remaining in the upper storey, are lintelled. Also fascinating about this tower is that the chiselled breccia blocks in each layer are nearly the same size and go the full thickness of the nearly 1 metre thick walls. The leaning tower was scaffolded in 2001 and work to stabilize the structure took many years. A bulge can still be seen on the south side. |
From the South East |
Situated: 15 kilometres south east of Kilkenny City. From Bennetsbridge take the Gowran Rd east, after 2 kilometres take a right turn. After a 1.7 kilometres take a left turn. Continue for 1.5 kilometres. The round tower should be visible on your right. Discovery Map 67: S 5910 4785 Last visit March 2011. Longitude: 7° 7' 41.09" W Latitude: 52° 34' 43.72" N Photos: Jim Dempsey and Deb Snelson |
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Approx date: 11th Century Dimensions: Height 22.5 m. Diameter: 4.92 m Door: Above ground 3.7m. Type: Unknown |
Windows: Eight. All lintelled. Features: None Cap: Missing |