Castledermot Round Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castledermot Round Tower |
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Cloigtheach Dhíseart Diarmada
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Catholic |
| Location | |
| Location | Church Lane, Castledermot, County Kildare, Ireland |
 Location in Ireland
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Irish round tower |
| Groundbreaking | 10th century |
| Specifications | |
| Height (max) | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Materials | Granite |
The Castledermot Round Tower is a very old stone tower in Castledermot, County Kildare, Ireland. It was built around the 10th century. This tower is a special type of building called an Irish round tower. These towers were often built near churches or monasteries in Ireland.
Along with some ancient stone crosses nearby, the Castledermot Round Tower is considered a National Monument. This means it's a very important historical site protected by the country.
What is the Castledermot Round Tower Like?
This tower is still standing tall today. It's about 20 meters (66 feet) high. The very top of the tower, which was probably a cone-shaped roof, has been replaced. Now it has a flat top with battlements, which are like the protective walls you see on castles.
The tower is made from large, rounded granite stones. These stones are held together with a strong mix called mortar. It shows how skilled builders were a long time ago!
When Was the Castledermot Round Tower Built?
Castledermot was once a busy monastic settlement. This means it was a place where monks lived and studied. It was started around the year 800 AD.
A famous bishop and poet named Cormac mac Cuilennáin was buried here in 938 AD. The round tower was most likely built around that time, perhaps to protect the monks or their valuable books. The monastic community at Castledermot stopped existing sometime after 1073.
What Are the High Crosses at Castledermot?
Next to the tower, you can see two amazing stone high crosses. These are tall, decorated stone crosses that are very common in early Christian Ireland. They often have detailed carvings that tell stories from the Bible.
- The north cross shows scenes like David from the Bible, the story of the Binding of Isaac, and some of the miracles of Jesus.
- The south cross has carvings that show the Arrest of Jesus, the story of Daniel in the lion's den, and Adam and Eve.
These crosses are like ancient storybooks carved in stone, giving us a peek into the beliefs and art of people who lived long ago.
