Oughterard Church and Round Tower
Map Reference: N957264 (2957, 2264)
St Bridget (not the well-known saint who also came from Kildare) is said to have founded a convent here in the 6th century. It was burned in 1094. The only remnant of an early foundation is the Round Tower. It is composed mainly of uncoursed limestone. It stands 9.5m high with a doorway 2.65m above ground level. This has a round head and faces east. It is constructed of granite blocks although the sill is an irregular slab of limestone. There is only one remaining window. It faces south and is a simple square-headed structure also composed of granite blocks


The church nearby is said to have been built in 1609 but it may be earlier. The chancel is intact with a good vaulted roof.

There is a fine three-light square-headed east window and small windows in the north and south walls.

A doorway in the south wall leads to a spiral stairway which ascends a small tower projecting from the south wall and now almost detached.



The nave is fragmentary.

For details of other Round Towers click on the links below
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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
Kildare, Co Kildare
Kilcullen, 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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