Oughterard Ecclesiastical Site

The round tower at Oughterard dates to the 8^th century, and formed part of a monastery founded by St Bríga in the 6^th century. A round tower was a necessary safety feature of all financially thriving monastic settlement, as it was where the riches of the settlement were stored in times of attack from the Irish and Vikings. The Annals note that the monastery was sacked and burned by Sitric Silkenbeard the Viking, in 995AD. Much of this area was given as a dowry to Strongbow on his marriage to Aoife, daughter of the King of Leinster, Diarmuid Mac Murrough.

Today the round tower, built of limestone, stands at just under 10m in height and its entrance door is 2.5m above ground. Three floors are identifiable and one round headed window on the 1^st floor is visible. The remains of the church are dated to the 12^th century, with its original entrance unidentifiable. A round headed narrow window lit the nave. The remains of a bell cote surmounts the west gable. Within the church are the tombs of Arthur Guinness and his wife Elizabeth Reed, his sister and brother, Olivia and Richard, among other Guinness family members.

Visit Historic Environment Viewer for more information on Oughterard Ecclesiastical Site

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