Kildare Cathedral & Round Tower
Map Reference: N725127 (2725, 2127)
The cathedral was originally built about 1223 by Ralph of Bristol but only the south transept, part of the tower and a few other fragments date from this time. It was partially restored in the 15th century.
Its present appearance is due to a heavy restoration and major rebuild in the 19th century. Inside the church are several good medieval tombs and some Crucifixion slabs.
The oldest structures on the site are a plain granite High Cross and a Round Tower.
The tower has a fine Romanesque doorway with a pointed hood.
It had four orders originally but only the innermost arch is now complete. The soffit of this arch has chevron decoration forming lozenges that enclose rosettes.
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
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
Kilcullen, Co 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
Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare
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
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
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