Inishkeen Round Tower, Monaghan

Inishkeen Round Tower The round tower in Inishkeen is one of the easiest towers to locate. It is beautifully situated in a graveyard next to a local park in the centre of this small village. The 12.6 metre high round tower is very plain in appearance, there are no windows present in the drum and no visible trace of an offset at the base. The simple lintelled doorway suggests the tower maybe quite early. The top of the tower bulges out slightly and repairs have taken place. The remaining stump of the tower had been used as a belfry as late as the 19th century and the weight of a new arch that had been fitted to the top plus the bell caused damage to the tower. It is believed the monastery at Inishkeen was founded by St Daig mac Carell in the 6th century, who studied under St Ciaran at Clonmacnoise. The monastery was burned in 789 AD and plundered by Vikings in 984. The monastery was burned for a second time in 1166 AD. Close by is a fine example of a Norman Motte.

Situated: From Dundalk take the R178 west for 15 kilometres turn right for Inishkeen (Signposted). As you enter the village turn right after the school. Discovery Map 36: H 9318 0699. Last visit March 2012. Longitude: 6° 34' 43" W Latitude: 54° 0' 13" N Google Map Photos: Jim Dempsey.
Approx date: 10th/11th Century Dimensions: Height 12.6 m. Diameter: 4.5 m Door: Above ground 4.1m. Type: Lintelled.	Windows: None Features: None Cap: Missing

Inishkeen

Round Tower

The round tower in Inishkeen is one of the easiest towers to locate. It is beautifully situated in a graveyard next to a local park in the centre of this small village. The 12.6 metre high round tower is very plain in appearance, there are no windows present in the drum and no visible trace of an offset at the base. The simple lintelled doorway suggests the tower maybe quite early. The top of the tower bulges out slightly and repairs have taken place. The remaining stump of the tower had been used as a belfry as late as the 19th century and the weight of a new arch that had been fitted to the top plus the bell caused damage to the tower.

It is believed the monastery at Inishkeen was founded by St Daig mac Carell in the 6th century, who studied under St Ciaran at Clonmacnoise. The monastery was burned in 789 AD and plundered by Vikings in 984. The monastery was burned for a second time in 1166 AD. Close by is a fine example of a Norman Motte.

The Tower

Situated: From Dundalk take the R178 west for 15 kilometres turn right for Inishkeen (Signposted). As you enter the village turn right after the school.

Discovery Map 36: H 9318 0699. Last visit March 2012.

Longitude: 6° 34' 43" W

Latitude: 54° 0' 13" N

Google Map

Photos: Jim Dempsey.

Approx date: 10th/11th Century

Dimensions: Height 12.6 m. Diameter: 4.5 m

Door: Above ground 4.1m. Type: Lintelled.

Windows: None

Features: None

Cap: Missing

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