Round Towers

Round Towers are found in Ireland to the number of 118, of which 20 are more or less perfect, and Scotland possesses 3. As to their origin, many theories have been broached, some attributing them to the Phoenicians, and others to the Danes, but general opinion now deems them to be of Christian origin and to date from the 5th to the 13th century. It is probable that they were used for storing church utensils, also as strongholds, and, upon occasion, as beacons and watch-towers. They are generally from 50 to 120 ft. high, diminish in size as they ascend, and are topped by conical roofs. They are divided into storeys communicating with each other by ladders, and each possessing a window, more windows occurring near the roof. The doors were for the most part 8 or 10 ft. from the ground.