Clones Round Tower and Church

The early monastic settlement of Clones was founded in the 6^th century by St. Tighernach. St. Tighernach was bishop of Clogher, as well as bishop of Clones, after performing many miracles around Ireland, Britain, and France. The 4 storeyed, sandstone round tower has its entry door 1.5m above ground level, and stands at 23m, with its conical cap missing. During the 1840’s the interior of the tower was cleared where human remains were found beneath the floor on the ground level. It is believed the remains were from a pre-existing graveyard, over which the round tower was built.

The simplicity of the doorway and slit windows indicate a build date of the early 10^th century. Of the typical cardinal windows located beneath the conical cap, all but one are missing, only the east window still remains. The round tower was a necessary safety feature for all financially thriving monastic settlements, as it was where the riches of the settlement were stored in times of attack from the Irish and Vikings. Clones was raided and plundered by the Vikings in 836AD, and destroyed by fire in 1095, rebuilt and destroyed again by fire in 1184.

The monastery founded by St. Tighernach, became the Augustinian abbey of Saints Peter and Paul in the 1140’s. The abbey once held a copy of the Gospels that St. Patrick gave to St. Mac Caorthainn, known as The Domhnach.

Indulgences were granted to the abbey in 1414, and by 1586 Sir Henry Duke leased the area from the Crown. The area was inherited by the Barret-Leonard family and held by them into the 19^th century.

Visit Historic Environment Viewer for more information on Clones Round Tower & Church

Protect our Past - Click here to read about the importance of protecting our country’s unique heritage sites

This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014