Old Kilcullen Round Tower

The Old Kilcullen monastic site dates back to the 5th Century.
St Patrick founded the monastery and placed it in the care of St MacTail (Died 548).

The site was attacked by Vikings in 736 and again in 944.

The round tower is thought to date back to the 11th Century.
The tower is close to 11 meters in height, with the round headed doorway close to 2 meters from ground level.
A drawing from 1792 shows the tower in a more complete state.
Old Kilcullen's tower was reduced to its present state in the 1798 rebellion.

The site also has the very small remains of a Romanesque church (dated later than the tower).
Sadly all that remains of the church today is the base walls.

Old Kilcullen also boasts the shaft's of two high crosses,  the shaft closest to the tower has some lovely detail the other taller shaft at the back of the graveyard is very worn and I could not make out any details.
The site also has the base of another high cross.

The setting and location for Old Kilcullen could not be better, quite and peaceful with stunning views of the surrounding Kildare countryside.

Access - The site is signposted and a short drive from the N78, parking can be found beside the site leaving you a short walk up an avenue to the graveyard.

Dromiskin Round Tower High Cross and Church

Dromiskin Monastery was founded by Lughaidh a disciple of St Patrick.
The monastery came under attack in 908 from the Irish, the Danes in 978 and again by the Irish in 1043.

The tower is over 15 meters high as a result of the tower being used as a belfry and then recapped.
This has now left the tower with a shrunken look to it.
When viewed from the front this tower always makes me smile.

The Romanesque doorway (missing some stone work) is just under 4 meters from ground level. 

The head of the high cross dates back to the 10th Century- it was grafted onto a granite shaft and base in 1918.

The church ruin dates to the 12th Century with the window dated to the 15th Century.

The more modern St  Ronan's Church of Ireland was built in 1821.
It is now in a dangerous derelict state.

The village of Dromiskin is a short drive from the M1.
When you arrive at the village you will have no problem spotting the tower.
Parking is available right outside the gate of the graveyard.

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.   

Donaghmore Round Tower

A monastery was reputedly founded here in the 5th century by St Patrick, who placed it in the care of St Cassan.
The Round Tower was not built until the 10th century.
It is well-preserved, but its upper part was badly restored in 1841.
The four windows which normally face North, South, East and West at the top of the Round Towers are missing here.
The stone at the top of its roof is also missing.

The doorway, which is about four metres above ground level might not be original.
It has a carved surround with a Crucifixion with twisted legs on the keystone, and a head facing outward from each of the jambs.
The ruin (beside the tower) is of a 15th century church, which gives the site a very Tim Burton like look.