Timahoe Round Tower
Midlands Ireland | County Laois
Timahoe Round Tower is located in the village of Timahoe about 12 km southeast from town of Portlaoise (road R426) in County Laois. The name "Timahoe" comes from "Tigh Mochua", what means House of Mochua (St Mochua was hermit who founded here the first monastic settlement in 7th century). The settlement was raided and the oratory was burned in 919 and again in 1142. The round tower was built in 12th century and is the only surviving remnant of this early monastery. The tower is almost 30 m tall, has walls nearly 2m thick and the doorway is placed 4 m above the ground level. It has six storeys, with four windows facing the cardinal points at the top. The unique feature of the tower is its Romanesque doorway. The pilasters are decorated with human heads whose flowing hair is formed into varying patterns. The tower stays in its original condition, except the cap, which was rebuilt in the late 19th century. Next to the tower there are ruins of 15th century church which was transformed to castle after the dissolution of the monasteries.
- OPENING HOURS AND TICKETS :
- Freely accessible
- CAR PARK :
- Roadside
Photos from Timahoe Round Tower
