kids encyclopedia robot

Cloyne Round Tower facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Cloyne Round Tower
Cluain
Round Tower of Cloyne.jpg
Round tower at Cloyne
Religion
Affiliation Pre-Reformation Catholic
Location
Location Church Street, Cloyne,
County Cork, Ireland
Cloyne Round Tower is located in Ireland
Cloyne Round Tower
Location in Ireland
Architecture
Architectural style Irish round tower
Groundbreaking 10th century
Specifications
Height (max) 30.5 m (100 ft)
Materials sandstone

Cloyne Round Tower is a round tower in the historically monastic town of Cloyne, County Cork in Ireland. Cloyne was also the "see city" of the Anglican (Church of Ireland) Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. The tower is a symbol for the town of Cloyne.

History

The monastic settlement at Cloyne dates to about 560 AD, when Saint Colman mac Lenene (who died in 604) founded the original monastery. The round tower itself dates to around the 10th century, and is approximately 30m high and 16.25m around when measured about 1.5m above the ground. The stone in the tower is dark purple sandstone. As with some other round towers, a lightning strike caused some damage to the top of the tower. The strike was in 1749. There is also the ruin of a Norman watchtower on a hill overlooking the town.

The town has a cathedral from its time as a religious centre, as well as a more recent church. The Church of Ireland Cathedral dates to 1250 A.D. The local Catholic church, St. Colmans, was built in 1815. The round tower was used to hang the Cathedral bell in the 19th century.

Edward Gennys Fanshawe, Ancient tower at Cloyne, Feby 1856 (Ireland)
Painting of the tower by Edward Fanshawe, 1856
kids search engine
Cloyne Round Tower Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.