Díseart Aonghasa Ecclesiastical Site

This early medieval ecclesiastical enclosure, known as Díseart Aonghasa/Dísert Óengusa, was founded in 780AD by Óengus of Tallaght of the Céile Dé, meaning client of God. Óengus of Tallaght wrote the metrical martyrology known as Féilire Aonghasa.

Presently, the enclosure holds a multi-period church, graveyard, and round tower. The church today has had restoration works, but remains true to the original rectangular form. The surrounding graveyard ceased to be used after 1868.

The round tower to the north of the church was described in 1868 as missing part of its upper floors, is 20m in height with its missing conical cap, and has cardinal windows. The round tower was made from limestone, with sandstone used for the door and window dressings. The doorway was recorded as 2.4m above ground level with 5 internal floors, lit by slit windows. The ground floor was filled with debris, which, in 1849, Mr Luke Christy had excavated. Noted beneath the expected decay, at a depth of 1.5m, was a skeletal human body without any trace of a coffin. Further down, another human remain was found.

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