Building in Askeaton

The following description of this monument is taken from 'The Urban Archaeological Survey of County Limerick' compiled by John Bradley, Andrew Halpin and Heather A. King (Office of Public Works, 1985). This tower of two, if not three floors, was built onto the north side of the chancel at a later date. It is c. 10.7m square externally and c. 10m high. The masonry is roughly coursed limestone rubble, with a strong basal batter 1.5m - 1.75m high on the west, north and east sides. Inside the round headed door on the north wall of the chancel is a taller and wider unsplayed doorway, with traces of plank centering, in the south wall of the tower. The ground floor is lit by rectangular loops, splayed externally as well as internally in the west, north and east walls. The first floor has large unsplayed openings, probably windows, but possibly doorways, in the south, east and west walls; that in the west wall is round headed and now blocked while those in the south and east walls are rectangular. The walls at this possible second floor level are c. 1.5m high and featureless with battlements of uncertain date above over an internal ledge. On the west a modern bell-cote has been erected over the battlements. A view in 'Pacata Hibernia' shows a two aisled building with tower at the end of the north aisle. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011