Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Taghadoe Round Tower





Taghadoe Round tower (which may have never been completed) is close to 20 meters in height.
The tower is built from rough coursed limestone, it has three windows with the doorway 3.5 meters from ground level. 
The monastery of which the tower is the sole remnant was founded by an obscure saint named Tua who was attached to the nearby monastery of Clane.
Little is known of the history of the monastery except that one of its abbots - named Folachtach, died in 765.
The church beside the Round Tower was built in 1831.
The tower is visible from the R406 as you travel towards Maynooth from the Barberstown direction.
The turn for Taghadoe ( L5037 ) is well marked, you will find the site on a very bad bend so take care parking.