St Mullin's Monastic Site


Map Reference: S729380 (2729, 1380)

St Moling founded a monastery here at the end of the 7th century. He may have been Bishop of Ferns and also of Glendalough. The Kings of South Leinster, including the McMurrough Kavanaghs, were buried here.



The earliest remains are the very low stump of a Round Tower and a small granite High Cross. The decoration on the cross includes a Crucifixion, interlacing and spirals. The ring is solid and the base is cylindrical.



There are remains of several churches. These include St Mullin's Abbey, a medieval nave-and-chancel church with a spiral stairway, and St James's Chapel, a small oratory.



The monastery was plundered by the Vikings in 951 and burned in 1138. In an 8th century manuscript, known as 'The Book of Mulling', there is a plan of the monastery showing four crosses inside the round monastic wall and eight crossses outside it. Just outside the gate of the graveyard is a very fine Anglo-Norman motte.



For details of other Round Towers click on the links below

Antrim, Co Antrim Armoy, Co Antrim Drumlane, Co Cavan Drumcliff, Co Clare Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare Cloyne, Co Cork Kinneigh, Co Cork Tory Island, Co Donegal Drumbo, Co Down Maghera, Co Down Nendrum, Co Down Lusk, Co Dublin Swords, Co Dublin Devenish, Co Fermanagh Kilbennan, Co Galway Kilmacduagh, Co Galway Roscam, Co Galway Aghadoe, Co Kerry Ratoo, Co Kerry Castledermott, Co Kildare Kildare, Co Kildare Kilcullen, C Kildare Oughterard, Co Kildare Taghadoe, Co Kildare Aghaviller, Co Kilkenny Grangefertagh, Co Kilkenny Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny Kilree, Co Kilkenny Tullaherin, Co Kilkenny Timahoe, Co Laois Kilmallock, Co Limerick Dromiskin, Co Louth Monasterboice, Co Louth Aghagower, Co Mayo Balla, Co Mayo Killala, Co Mayo Meelick, Co Mayo Turlough, Co Mayo Donaghmore, Co Meath Kells, Co Meath Clones, Co Monaghan Clonmacnois, Co Offaly Boyle, Co Roscommon Oran, Co Roscommon Drumcliffe, Co Sligo Cashel, Co Tipperary Roscrea, Co Tipperary Ardmore, Co Waterford Glendalough, Co Wicklow



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