Drumcliff High Cross and Round Tower

Map Reference: G678421 (1678, 3421)

St Colmcille founded a monastery at Drumcliffe about 575 on lands given by King Aedh Ainmire. The monastery seems to have been well known from the 9th to the 16th century and was plundered several times during that period. The only remnants of an early foundation are a High Cross and the stump of a Round Tower.













The High Cross is of sandstone and may date from the 11th century. The carvings on the east face include the Fall of man, Cain and Abel and Daniel in the Lions' Den. At the head is possibly the Last Judgement or Christ in Glory. On the west face the subjects include the Presentation in the Temple and the Crucifixion.















The narrow edges are also richly carved with ornament and figure carving. Beside the road is the stump of a Round Tower which was struck by lightning in 1396. It now stands about 16m high with a square-headed doorway 1.6m high and 54cm wide.







Tradition says that the remainder of the tower will fall on the wisest person to stand beneath it.

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 Kildare, 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 Cashel, Co Tipperary Roscrea, Co Tipperary Ardmore, Co Waterford Glendalough, Co Wicklow

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

Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare 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 Ahenny, Co Tipperary Arboe, Co Tyrone Donaghmore, Co Tyrone