Does anybody know what round towers in Ireland are open for visitors to climb? In 2003, the round tower in Kildare was open and I enjoyed climbing the interior ladders to the top. I'm curious about any of the others across the country. Glendalough? Ardmore? Others?

Do you mean Martello towers? You can visit the one at Sandy Bay (outside Dublin) where James Joyce lived.

I don't believe the tower in Ardmore is open to visitors. But it's worthwhile to see just for its setting. There's also a walk along the cliffs that ends/begins at the tower that is really worthwhile. You can get a map at the tourist info. booth on the beach (in the white building).

Here's a link that says the Round Tower in Kilkenny IS open to visitors.
It SAYS there are others, but doesn't list any of them.

http://www.dochara.com/tips/glendalough.php

Bob

There's a nice one in Lusk, north County Dublin - which is quite close to the airport (about 10 miles away).
www.megalithomania.com/show/site/54

You'll find some more info about round towers on this site also.

These are an interest of mine and so far I have never found one you can go inside in. Few and far between.
One of the main reasons is that they were built with the doors around 14 feet off the ground for defence purposes; they could simply climb in with a ladder, pull it in, and with no entrance, pour anything onto the heads of any attackers. And there was no easy way even to set fire to the towers. With various religious persecutions, they are thus often found at monastic settlements. So to make them available to the public they would need to make doorways at floor level. My favourite are at Clonmacnoise; and we have a beauty nearby at Bruckless. I am remembering one in Mayo that I think was occasionally open? Maybe not any more.. see
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Im...ound-Tower.jpg

it is the engineering of them as long as the 5th century that awes me..

I climbed the round tower in Kilkenney two years ago. It is not an easy climb, the stairs are more like wooden ladders but there is a nice view at the top. The round tower in Ardmore is not open to the public but there are some nice church ruins at the base aand there is a great cliff walk. Have fun.

The Martello Tower in Sandycove is the best one near Dublin. It was also James Joyce's residence for a time and is a museum of sorts. The view from the top out over Dublin Bay to Howth and the city is fantastic. Its easy to get there by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) as there is a stop nearby - once you have finished there you are only a short walk from some great pubs (Fitzgeralds in Sandycove is a "Joyce" pub) and lovely restaurants, with Cavistons fish bistro a highlight - if you can get a table. If the weather is nice bring your swimming gear as Sandycove harbour is great fro swimming both with children or without. Try out the famous mens bathing place at the 40 Foot, right next to the tower. Dont head back into the city until you have visited nearby Dalkey - fabby bars and restaurants, plus you might find yourself standing next to Bono as you order a pint in Finnegans! Enjoy.

The Round Tower in Killalla (Co Mayo) isn't open to the public that I know of. The roof was damaged by a lighting strike quite a while back. That seems to be a significant threat to Round Towers.

There are a large number of 'tourable' Martello towers, but they are, of course, QUITE a bit newer -- by 8 or 900 years -- than the Round Towers!

Bob

Dear Bob; I am sure you are right re Killala. I lived near it for a while and there is a memory at the back of my mind about being able to go in. I stood right under the tower, looking up at it and wondering if I would dare; there was a notice of some kind. This was a few years ago now. Maybe some special occasion..

When they filmed the television mini-series of "THE YEAR OF THE FRENCH", I thought I heard that they HAD made it at least, PARTLY accessible, but I THINK the connical roof was destroyed back in the late 1800's?, so I don't know.

Would love to hear more about the one in Bruckless, as my wife and I plan to be in Co. Donegal for three nights in late June. How far is it from the Cliffs and/or Glencolumbkille?

Bob

Thanks for the responses!

I liked the one in Kildare because it was a series of stair-like ladders. The spiral stairs that are usually found in church towers (St. Paul's London, St. Vitus Prague, etc) make me dizzy!

Found this for Kilkenny:
http://cashel.anglican.org/cances.shtm

Dear Bob,
Thank you. Maybe that is what the notice said.
Yes struck by lightning back in the 1800s but repaired then.
The Bruckless one is right by the road as you drive from Donegal Town towards Killybegs, in the grounds of the Roman Catholic Church.
You literally cannot miss it. There are grilles at all the windows, so seemingly there is or was a way in.
So about 40 minutes from Glencolumcille and about 20 from Donegal Town, so about half an hour from the Cliffs ( English time, not Irish
It is in fine condition.

anchoress:

Thanks for the info. I think I've driven by that a few times and sonehow managed to not see it. Next time ....

Bill

Wondering how anyone can miss the Bruckless Tower!! There is a modern one in Donegal Town; a mere infant built in 1935.... Not sure if there is entry; it is at the Roman Catholic St Patrick's Church and dominates the skyline.... another small modern one out at Raphoe... Enjoy.....The graveyard at Bruckless is fascinating too.

Perhaps I'm blind or my wife was screaming about my driving. How's the weather coming around BTW? Are things getting better?

Bill

Hot and dry...the flowers are weeks ahead of their time..Set to change this weekend though... we seem to get extremes these days. It has been in the low seventies this last week....
when you see Bruckless, you will see why I wonder how nayone can miss it..the road bends there and it seems as if it will go through the tower...

You know, I just figured it out. The last time we were there, we went out to St. John's Point and then when we went north we followed a tiny road that took us by an old stone cirlcle and then headed up to Adara. We never went by Bruckless. The only other time on that particular road was in 2002 and I must have seen it. OK, now I have to come back.

Glad the weather is better. You're living in a stunning part of the world.

Bill