Tory Island Round Tower

At about the mid point on the S side of Tory Island is a settlement called West Town clustered around a small bay. This settlement includes within it and close to it the remains of the early ecclesiastical complex on the island (National Monument number 24). The available literature seems to refer to several structures and monuments no longer visible. In particular the Civil Survey of 1654-56 (Simington 1937, 114) refers to 'five churches almost ruined' only one of which seems to survive. Literary references to Tory appear to begin in the 7th century and continue throughout the early and later medieval period indicating its ecclesiastical nature (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 46). This tower is 15.7m in circumference and 12.8m in height. It is built of pinkish granite beach stones mortared with a shell lime. It is partially breached on the W side but is intact on the E to a cornice line, above which a small part of the cap rises. A doorway faces ESE 2.64m above the ground. It has a rounded head. Its maximum height is 1.65m and is 0.61m wide externally. There is a mortice for a door-fastening on the N jamb. Only one window survives below the cornice line, above the door. The tower had three floors, the top one formed by stone vaulting (Barrow 1979, 73-7). The tower was repaired by the Office of Public Works in the 1970s. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In this instance the entry (no. 1620) has been revised and updated. Revised by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 13 March 2013

Tory Island Round Tower was built by an early Christian monastic community, likely in the 9th or 10th century. It is a solitary round tower, probably associated with a nearby church, and reflects the architectural traditions of early Irish monastic sites. Its significance lies in its rarity as a surviving example of such structures in the northwest of Ireland.