Round Tower

National Monument No. 126. Situated in the NE part of Roscrea town directly across from St Cronan's Romanesque church (TN012-010001-). In 1131/1135 the round tower was struck by lightning (Gleeson and Gwynn 1962, 63). An impressive well-preserved six-storey round tower (int. diam. 2.5m) constructed with coursed sandstone masonry supported on a basal plinth. At SE at first-floor level is a round-headed moulded doorway with an internal reveal for the door. There are three windows on the tower including two flat-headed single-lights at second and fourth-floor level and a triangular-headed window facing E at second-floor level. A single-masted ship is carved on the internal N jamb of the latter window (Barrow 1979, 189) with a possible belted cross on the opposite jamb (Stout 1984, 99). After the 1798 rebellion the tower was shortened by c. 6m by the army authorities after it had been used by snipers shooting at the castle (Harbison 1970, 235). According to Gleeson the tower was used as a belfry until the present C of I church was built in 1812 (Gleeson 1915, vol. 2, 372). The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008

The Round Tower at Townparks, Roscrea, was likely built in the 10th or 11th century and is associated with the early Christian monastic site near St Cronan's Romanesque church. It is a typical example of an Irish high crosses and church sites, reflecting the religious and cultural significance of the area during the medieval period.