Moving on to the most noticeable building in the entire Glendalough Valley, Round Tower. It can be seen from various parts of the road as you approach from the mountains before descending into the valley. Situated to the north-west of the Cathedral, surrounded by various gravestones, and rising to approx 33 meters above ground, the Tower commands a watchful presence over the Monastic City and much of the valley itself. Sadly unlike most towers with the exception of the one at St. Brigid’s Cathedral in Kildare, it was not possible to ascend the Tower, which I am sure gives some stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Said to have been built over 1000 years ago by the monks of St. Kevin’s monastery, I can only imagine what a site this must have been for weary travellers approaching the city.
The Tower looks to have been built mainly from mica-schist and granite. A round headed doorway facing south-east is situated approx 3.5 meters above ground, with a further six floors that rested on wooden beams set into beam-holes, each floor would have been connected to the next by a wooden floor. There are four trabeate windows at various levels and another four windows facing the cardinal points, just below the reconstructed conical cap. There is said to be a rectangular channel, roughly 0.2m x 0.15m which runs right through the thickness of the wall just below the doorway which has been suggested it may have been used as a spy-hole.
During medieval times in Ireland, Round Towers which were known as Cloigh Theach in Gaelic, meaning Bell Tower, had many uses. Aside from serving as the name suggests, A Bell Tower. They could also function as a beacon to guide pilgrims travelling from afar, a storehouse, a watchtower or a place of refuge in times of attack. The unusual height for the door, which is a feature of all these towers, is commonly believed to be a defensive feature of the Round Tower. Using a ladder of some description which could be withdrawn into the tower to prevent attackers gaining access. Whilst this is a practical theory for a defensive purpose, it would have made using the tower for other purposes quite difficult.
The doorway itself was constructed with larger stones similar to the cyclopean masonry used in the early parts of the nave over at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. The arch above the doorway has been carved from a single stone, which despite its age, appears to be in remarkable condition. After being severely damaged by a lightning strike around 1876, the conical roof had to be rebuilt. It is believed to have been rebuilt, using the original stone that was found inside the tower. Despite their being no access to the tower, it is a magnificent structure that has to be seen in person to appreciate it.
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Love this place 🙂
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Yes it is rather special, a valley of tranquility, I guess that’s why it was chosen 🙂
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LOVE!!!
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Thank you 🙂
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Your first image immediately shouted “Widdershins”!!
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Ha,Ha, Have you ever tried it?
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As a child, yes! Perhaps that’s the reason for events in my life! Only joking…. 🙂
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LOL, There once was a church on Dublin’s north-side, with a legend attached that if you did it three times the devil would appear. Needless to say we tried it and nothing happened. Perhaps we where the devils? 🙂
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😉
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A lovely set of shots. You are a master of B&W. It would be great to see those sites again. Des.
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Des, you are too kind, but thanks, really glad that you liked them:-)
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What a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing this Ed.
It looks pretty good for 1000 yrs old or so.
It must’ve been a welcome sight for weary travellers.
Wonderful images!
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Thank you Robyn, I’m sure it was 🙂
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Proud and straight!! 😀 Wonderful photos and history Ed!
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Thanks Cybele, 🙂
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Interesting!
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Thank you Laura 🙂
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you’re welcome 🙂
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At first glance of the first two pics (the second especially) I thought there were people gathered, possibly dancing, around the tower. A little trick of the imagination that made it extra special! I have seen the ‘high front door’ structure elsewhere (I think in Europe somewhere but not sure, it was only on a photo….) so I agree it is likely to be for protective purposes. A wonderful post.
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Thank you, much appreciated, 🙂
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Surely these rank among your best ever shots ! I am no techy photographer ( I take snaps with my wee auto camera thingy) but these are stunning works of art! Thanks for letting us see them 🙂
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Ah Thank you, you are too kind, really glad that you are enjoying them 🙂
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What an amazing structure.
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Shame you cant go in. It really does dominate the landscape. I really enjoyed the image you conjured up of the weary travelor approaching and being guided and revitalised by first sighting of the tower… I never thought of it that way before.
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I just dawned on me as I was driving through the mountains toward the valley. I could see the Tower on the horizon and got thinking, how hard a journey must it have been back then with now roads or transport so to speak. It must have been a joyous relief to catch a glimpse after possible days of walking through harsh terrain?
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I’d say so! OMG… you’re sparking off a story in my head now… wouldnt that be fab, to set a story in the ancient monastic city of Glendalough? I can see Im not gonna sleep tonight!
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I know of a few tales that might get you started regarding St. Kevin and some allegedly nasty encounters if your interested. We can PM the details 🙂
Oh by the way, have you ever read Pat O’Shea’s ‘Hounds of the Morrigan’ ?
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Id love to hear them!
Nope… never heard of that book… Ill check it out! Thanks for recommendation!
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I read it as a kid, but found it to be enthralling. I will email you those little stories, I,m sure you could a book out of it 🙂
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Cool… thank you! You can provide an image for tbe cover and well have a collaboration!
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Only if you agree to write the forward for my ‘Diary of a Ruinhunter’, book, if I ever get round to doing it:-) Then we have a deal 🙂
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Sounds good to me… DEAL!
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🙂
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Wow! Awesome shot mate!
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Thank you, much appreciated 🙂
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🙂
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