IRISH ROUND TOWERS

New Zealand Tablet, 10 September 1914, Page 51

IRISH ROUND TOWERS

In travelling through Ireland one meets with curious structures known as the Round Towers. These towers are of Christian and ecclesiastical origin, and were erected at various periods between the fifth and thirteenth centuries. They were designed to answer at least a twofold use—namely, to serve as belfries and as keeps or places of strength in which the sacred utensils, books, relics, and other valuables were deposited, and into, which the ecclesiastics to whom they belonged could retire for security in cases of sudden attack by their enemies. They were probably also used when occasion required, as beacons and watch-towers.