Cloghans or Round Tower

Part of the monastic complex at Kilmacduagh: located c. 40m to the SSW of the cathedral (GA128-034004-). By the 19th century this round tower (H 34.3m; diam. c. 5.5m), a National Monument, was in a very dilapidated state. The greater portion of its cap was missing and the whole of the SW side was breached. It was restored in 1878-9 by the Office of Public Works and at this time excavations showed that it was constructed on very slight foundations on an earlier burial ground. Further works were carried out in 1971 which included repointing the stonework (Lennox Barrows 1979, 100-104, 107). The tower is seven storeys high and is built of limestone blocks cut slightly in the round and set on a wide plinth. The round-headed doorway, facing ENE, is at a height of 7.9m above ground level. Each floor is lit by a single triangular-headed window, apart from the uppermost floor where there are six; all are square-headed internally. The tower leans noticeably to the SW. (Cochrane 1904, 234-8; O’Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 2, 155-6) Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 24 October 2016 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 3/2009). The monument was taken into Ownership under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 - National Monument 51.

The round tower at Kilmacduagh was built as part of an early medieval monastic complex, likely between the 9th and 12th centuries, and is dedicated to St Duagh. It is a significant example of Irish monastic architecture and is associated with the nearby cathedral and high crosses.