The founder of the first monastery here was St. Senach who was created Bishop of Aghagower by St. Patrick. The Round Tower, (which is preserved up to the fourth floor) was built between 973 and 1013. According to legend, the capstone was struck by lightning, and landed half a mile away on the hill of Tavenish. A local woman is said to have carried the heavy cap stone in her apron to the church where it still remains today.The present ground-floor entrance is modern, the nearby church was built in the 15th century, but with fragments of an earlier church.
