Castledermot Round Tower

Castledermot Round Tower is a 10th-century round tower in Castledermot, County Kildare, Ireland. The tower, and the high crosses nearby, are a National Monument.^[1]

Castledermot Round Tower
Cloigtheach Dhíseart Diarmada
Religion
Affiliation	Church of Ireland
Location
Location	Church Lane, Castledermot, County Kildare, Ireland
Shown within Castledermot Show map of Castledermot Castledermot Round Tower (Ireland) Show map of Ireland
Geographic coordinates	52.910458°N 6.834934°W / 52.910458; -6.834934
Architecture
Style	Irish round tower
Groundbreaking	10th century
Specifications
Height (max)	20 m (66 ft)
Materials	Granite

Building

The tower is complete, although the original cap has been replaced with battlements.^[2] It is composed of rounded granite boulders embedded in mortar.^[2]

History

Castledermot was founded as a monastic settlement c. 800 AD. The bishop-poet Cormac mac Cuilennáin was buried here in AD 938 and the round tower was probably built around that time.^[3] The community ceased to exist some time after 1073.^[4]

The crosses

East face of the north cross

There are two high crosses:

• The north cross depicts David, the Binding of Isaac and the miracles of Jesus.
• The south cross depicts the Arrest of Jesus, Daniel, and Adam and Eve.