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All Ireland Galway Kilmacduagh Round Tower

Kilmacduagh Round Tower

The ruins of an 800-year-old monastery boasts the tallest round tower in Ireland.

Galway, Ireland

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EMMA WALSH
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Kilmacduagh round tower in the burren Ireland   Jon Sullivan
Abbey at Kilmacduagh   higherflip / Atlas Obscura User
The round tower at Kilmacduagh   higherflip / Atlas Obscura User
Kilmacduagh Round Tower   Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
  mocchiatto / Atlas Obscura User
Kilmacduagh Round Tower   Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
Kilmacduagh Round Tower   Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
Kilmacduagh Round Tower   Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
Kilmacduagh Round Tower   Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
June 2018   shaunk82 / Atlas Obscura User
Stone face above the arch of the abbey ruins   simpsonamanda8 / Atlas Obscura User
Informational sign and map, October 2019   simpsonamanda8 / Atlas Obscura User
Kilmacduagh  
Gable of a church ruin   higherflip / Atlas Obscura User
Kilmacduagh Round Tower   Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Kilmacduagh Round Tower   Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
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About

There is a hush in Kilmacduagh, where the ruins of a monastery destroyed some 800 years ago still stand.

The ruins are impressive enough, but the round tower—the tallest in Ireland at 34.5m, and in immaculate condition—is staggering.

Around 65 round towers are known in various states of decay throughout Ireland. However their origin and purpose is debated. Hypotheses include that they were used as bell towers, or as protection against raids.

Kilmacduagh's round tower excels in terms of its condition, location and height. A rope ladder would be the only means of access to a door 8m above the ground. Whatever the purpose of the buildings was, the builders performed their task well; the tower survives nearly 1000 years after it was built, despite its obvious lean.

Situated in the village graveyard, Kilmacduagh's ruins are a spiritual place of contemplation and silence. The karst landscape of County Clare's Burren provides the horizon. The limestone rock for the buildings adds to the picturesque scene, and may be the reason the ruins still stand today.

Related Tags

Ruins Churches Towers Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

There is very little historical information available. Plenty of car parking is available at the site. Drive carefully!

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Added By

higherflip

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simpsonamanda8, Meg, Collector of Experiences, shaunk82...

  • simpsonamanda8
  • Meg
  • Collector of Experiences
  • shaunk82
  • Archimedes
  • mocchiatto
  • Ruby Slippers

Published

August 26, 2016

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  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilmacduagh_monastery
Kilmacduagh Round Tower
R460
Galway
Ireland
53.047942, -8.887542
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