Tony Mulraney
Roscrea Round Tower
The Round Tower, dating from the 10th Century, is situated northwest of the west gable of St. Cronan's Church (image below).It is recorded that the tower was damaged by lightning in 1131.The Tower as it is today measures 60 feet, but it originally rose to a height of 80 feet. The top of the tower was demolished in 1798 after the top floor was used by an insurgent sniper,who used the prime position to fire at sentries in the barracks.
St. Cronan's Church (image below), The Church of St. Cronan dates from the 12th Century, and its style of architecture is one of the most Romanesque found in Ireland.
In 1812 much of the building was demolished to make way for a road that cut right through the Church, leaving only the west gable.
Roscrea Round Tower
The Round Tower, dating from the 10th Century, is situated northwest of the west gable of St. Cronan's Church (image below).It is recorded that the tower was damaged by lightning in 1131.The Tower as it is today measures 60 feet, but it originally rose to a height of 80 feet. The top of the tower was demolished in 1798 after the top floor was used by an insurgent sniper,who used the prime position to fire at sentries in the barracks.
St. Cronan's Church (image below), The Church of St. Cronan dates from the 12th Century, and its style of architecture is one of the most Romanesque found in Ireland.
In 1812 much of the building was demolished to make way for a road that cut right through the Church, leaving only the west gable.