Round Towers

Church and Round Tower at Clonmacnoise

Temple Finghin, with its distinctive round-tower belfry, is thought to date from the twelfth century.

Church and Round Tower at Clonmacnoise

Church and Round Tower at Clonmacnoise

Temple Finghin, with its distinctive round-tower belfry, is thought to date from the twelfth century.

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There are a number of round towers in Ireland, such as the one at Clonmacnoise in Co. Offaly. The monasteries kept their valuables in these round towers to protect them from being stolen by local chieftains. The Vikings were also a threat to the monks in monasteries as they stole many of their valuables.