The Roman Tower

Freestanding square-plan three-stage tower with chamfered corners, built 1837, originally sited on roof of now demolished St. Ann's House. Granite domed roof. Cut sandstone walls with sandstone platbands, stringcourses and carved granite plinth course. Pedimented cut sandstone Ionic temple-front with engaged columns supporting entablature over round-headed opening to each elevation of third stage. Square-headed window openings to second stage, having carved lugged sandstone architraves with carved segmental pediments. Square-headed window openings to east and west elevations of ground stage, with carved lugged sandstone architraves, now blocked up. Square-headed door opening to north elevation, having carved lugged sandstone architrave and granite step, now blocked up. Granite cladding and central spiral staircase to interior. Sited on hilltop at west side of pond.

This structure, known as 'The Roman Tower', served as a viewing tower over Dublin Bay, while also acting as a conspicuous and picturesque eye catcher. High-quality stone masonry is evident in the detailing, with granite used to good effect to provide textural and tonal contrast to the sandstone construction. The design of the tower, which formed part of the roofscape of S.t Ann's House, formerly Thornhill, was apparently based on the Tomb of the Julii, St. Rémy, France. Benjamin Lee Guinness and his brother Arthur bought Thornhill Estate in 1835, renaming it St. Ann's, after the holy well which overlooked the Naniken River. Benjamin Lee undertook extensive landscaping work, and constructed several classical and rustic follies to enhance the gardens. The tower was moved to its current location by Lord Ardilaun in 1873, who inherited the estate in 1868.