Dysert O'Dea Monastic Site

Map reference: R282848 (1282, 1848)

Dysert O Dea Church stands on the site of an Early Christian monastery, which was founded by St Tola who died about 735. The long nave-and-chancel church has a long round-headed west window, a plain chancel arch and three lancet east windows. There are also small lancet windows in the north and south walls.



The crowning glory of the church is the magnificent Romanesque south doorway. This has a four-order arch. The outer order is masks, both human and beasts. The second order has a triangular serrated structure.



The third order has a cusped or scalloped appearance. The inner order has some zigzag decoration with small inverted masks at the ends.



The inner flat surface of this arch has diamond panels with foliage in the centre. The capitals of all the columns are richly carved. The two capitals of the outer order have human masks with intertwined hair and beards. In the third order the capitals are horned beasts. The columns are all richly decorated with a variety of motifs.



The doorway dates from the 12th century and was inserted in its present position when the later church was built.



To the north west of the church is the stump of a Round Tower with a fine round-headed doorway. To the east of the church is a very fine High Cross. On the west face there are patterns and some intertwined beasts.



There are also beasts on the two narrow edges. On the east face there is a Crucifixion in high relief and also the figure of a cleric holding a crozier. This is probably St Tola. There is an empty socket, which may have held the right arm of the cleric, which would have been raised in benediction.

















For details of other Round Towers click on the links below

Antrim, Co Antrim Armoy, Co Antrim St Mullin’s, Co Carlow Drumlane, Co Cavan Drumcliff, 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

For details of other Decorated Romanesque Doorways & Arches click on the links below

Kilmore Cathedral, Co Cavan Killaloe Cathedral, Co Clare White Island, Co Fermanagh Annaghdown Cathedral, Co Galway Clonfert, Co Galway Tuam Cathedral, Co Galway Aghadoe, Co Kerry Ardfert Cathedral, Co Kerry Kilmalkedar, Co Kerry Castledermott, Co Kildare Kildare Cathedral, Co Kildare Freshford, Co Kilkenny Ullard, Co Kilkenny Killeshin, Co Laois Timahoe, Co Laois The Nun's Church, Clonmacnois, Co Offaly Rahan, Co Offaly Cashel, Co Tipperary Donaghmore, Co Tipperary Kilcash, Co Tipperary Monaincha, Co Tipperary Roscrea, Co Tipperary St Saviour’s Priory, Glendalough, Co Wicklow

For details of other Figured High Crosses click on the links below

Kilfenora, Co Clare Killaloe, Co Clare Camus, Co Derry Carndonagh, Co Donegal Donaghmore, Co Down Boho, Co Fermanagh Galloon, Co Fermanagh Tuam, Co Galway Castledermott, Co Kildare Moone, Co Kildare Kilkeeran, Co Kilkenny Killamery, Co Kilkenny Kilree, Co Kilkenny Monasterboice, Co Louth Termonfeckin, Co Louth Duleek, Co Meath Kells, Co Meath Kells Market Cross, Co Meath Killary, Co Meath Clones, Co Monaghan Clonmacnois, Co Offaly Durrow, Co Offaly Drumcliffe, Co Sligo Ahenny, Co Tipperary Arboe, Co Tyrone Donaghmore, Co Tyrone