Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Massachusetts Milford Milford Irish Round Tower

Milford Irish Round Tower

This stone tower in a small town's graveyard looks as though it would be more at home in a fairy tale.

Milford, Massachusetts

Added By
Jonny Keen
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Milford Irish Round Tower.   Lpsp05/CC BY-SA 3.0
  elsamanelsa / Atlas Obscura User
Milford Round Tower   parkerjh / Atlas Obscura User
  e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
Milford Irish Round Tower.   Johncarneiro~commonswiki/public domain
Milford Irish Round Tower.   Johncarneiro~commonswiki/public domain
  pontga99 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This eye-catching tower is an unexpected sight in the United States, and casts a mystical aura around an otherwise unassuming cemetery.

Round towers were common in medieval Ireland—but not so much in 19th-century America. This one pays tribute to the large number of Irish immigrants who settled in Milford, Massachusetts.

In the late 1800s, local priest Father Patrick Cuddihy built the structure as a memorial to his countrymen who had died in the town, far away from home. The Milford round tower was designed to be a replica of one of the stone watchtowers Father Cuddihy had admired as a young man in Ireland. He hoped that Irish-Americans from around the country would one day make a pilgrimage to Milford to see his creation.

The pink granite tower is tall and thin, with windows at the top where visitors might expect Rapunzel to be waiting for a knight to rescue her. It is believed to be one of the only towers of its kind in North America.

On one side of the tower is a small pond, and on the other is a mysterious cave that looks almost like a catacomb. A boulder lying across the entrance means it is impossible to see what might be inside. Surrounded by trees, the area is a tranquil place to explore.

Related Tags

Towers Architectural Oddities Cemeteries Immigration Architecture

Know Before You Go

You'll find the round tower in St Mary's Catholic Cemetery. It's best to visit during daylight hours. Across the street there is a public park and free parking. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Jonny Keen

Edited By

CDVV86, achesnais, Jws, Kerry Wolfe...

  • CDVV86
  • achesnais
  • Jws
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • e1savage
  • parkerjh
  • pontga99
  • elsamanelsa

Published

November 26, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20150524/NEWS/150527860
Milford Irish Round Tower
75 MA-85
Milford, Massachusetts
United States
42.156371, -71.508313
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Upton Chamber

Upton, Massachusetts

miles away

Boston Marathon Starting Line

Hopkinton, Massachusetts

miles away

Holliston Moon Tree

Holliston, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Massachusetts

Massachusetts

United States

Places 541
Stories 43

Nearby Places

Upton Chamber

Upton, Massachusetts

miles away

Boston Marathon Starting Line

Hopkinton, Massachusetts

miles away

Holliston Moon Tree

Holliston, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Massachusetts

Massachusetts

United States

Places 541
Stories 43

Related Places

  • The former Wyoming National Bank buildings, known locally as “the onion” and “the egg beater.”

    Casper, Wyoming

    The 'M' Building and Tower

    Locally known as the "Onion” and the "Egg Beater,” Casper’s most recognizable buildings are beloved local landmarks to many, and eyesores to others.

  • Peavey–Haglin Experimental Concrete Grain Elevator

    St. Louis Park, Minnesota

    Peavey-Haglin Experimental Concrete Grain Elevator

    This unassuimng grain elevator, commonly confused for a smokestack, helped inspire the modern architecture movement.

  • Anclote Key, Florida

    Anclote Key Lighthouse

    Though it may look like it’s missing its outer shell, this skeletal cast-iron tower was built to withstand wind and waves.

  • Tower of Wind.

    Kawasaki, Japan

    Tower of Wind

    Curious onlookers have suspected this strange structure is a secret government base.

  • Templo del Señor de los Rayos.

    Aguascalientes, Mexico

    Templo del Señor de los Rayos (Temple of the Lord of the Rays)

    The history of this futuristic crypt-turned-temple is as curious as its facade.

  • The tower dominates the town’s skyline.

    Oban, Scotland

    McCaig’s Tower

    Looking strangely like Rome's Colosseum, this unfinished tower has dominated the skyline for over 100 years.

  • View of the church and its spire.

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Church of Our Saviour

    Climb to the top of its spiral spire for spectacular views of Copenhagen.

  • Tower of the Storks (center).

    Cáceres, Spain

    Torre de las Cigüeñas (Tower of the Storks)

    The tallest tower in Cáceres's Old Town.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.