Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRound tower
- Recorded sizeint. diameter 2.86m; wall T 1.2m
- Condition (as surveyed)Survives well
- StatusNational Monument
What to look for
- Church beside
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
National Monument No. 497, consisting of a poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-), base of round tower (OF039-003003-), low motte (OF039-003009-), possible souterrain (OF039-003026-) and building (OF039-003008-) all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943).
Full archaeological record 92 words
National Monument No. 497, consisting of a poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-), base of round tower (OF039-003003-), low motte (OF039-003009-), possible souterrain (OF039-003026-) and building (OF039-003008-) all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Only the base of a round tower (int. diam. 2.86m; wall T 1.2m) located at the W end of the N wall of the Augustinian priory on the NW angle of the priory (OF039-003004-) which has been recently restored.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Caimin O'Brien · Updated 23 May 2011. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More round towers nearby
National MonumentRoscrea Round Tower
Round tower · Townparks (Roscrea Par.) · Tipperary · 13 km away
Rosenallis Round Tower
Round tower · Rosenallis · Laois · 27 km away
Visitors' notes
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Around Churchland Round Tower
Other heritage nearby
- St Kieran's WellHoly well · 0.6 km
- Leap CastleCastle · 4.9 km
- Birr Castle Demesne & Historic Science CentreCastle · 8.6 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 19 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 10 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 high crossesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 hillfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 megalithic tombArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Birr Cycle Hub Loop 3Road Cycling Trail · 73.2 km · nearest point 0.7 km
- Birr Cycle Hub Loop 3 BRoad Cycling Trail · 44.3 km · nearest point 1.0 km
- Birr Cycle Hub Loop 4Road Cycling Trail · 47.0 km · nearest point 1.4 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Knockbarron WoodForests · 6.4 km
- GlenafellyForests · 6.4 km
- Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
- Roundwood HouseHistoric stays · 19 km
Other attractions nearby
- Birr Equestrian CentreNature and Wildlife · 3.4 km
- Leap CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 4.9 km
- Birr Outdoor Education and Training CentreWalking · 7.8 km
- Birr Town Trail & Riverbank WalksWalking · 8.3 km