Cloyne Round Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cloyne Round Tower |
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Cluain
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Round tower at Cloyne
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
| Location | |
| Location | Church Street, Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland |
 Location in Ireland
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Irish round tower |
| Groundbreaking | 10th century |
| Specifications | |
| Height (max) | 30.5 m (100 ft) |
| Materials | sandstone |
The Cloyne Round Tower is a very old, tall, round building. You can find it in the town of Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland. These special towers were built a long, long time ago by monks. The Cloyne Round Tower is a famous symbol for the town.
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What is the Cloyne Round Tower?
The Cloyne Round Tower is a type of building called an Irish round tower. These towers are tall, narrow, and shaped like a cylinder. They were built in Ireland between the 9th and 12th centuries. Monks often used them for safety and as bell towers.
How Tall is the Tower?
The Cloyne Round Tower stands about 30.5 meters (100 feet) high. That's as tall as a ten-story building! The base of the tower is about 16.25 meters (53 feet) around. It is made from dark purple sandstone.
History of the Tower
The area where Cloyne is located has been a religious place for a very long time. A monastery was first started here around the year 560 AD. This early monastery was founded by a saint named Colman mac Lenene.
When Was the Tower Built?
The round tower you see today was built much later. Experts believe it was constructed around the 10th century. This means it is over 1,000 years old!
Damage to the Tower
Like some other old round towers, the Cloyne tower has faced challenges. In 1749, lightning struck the top of the tower. This caused some damage to its upper part.
Other Old Buildings in Cloyne
Cloyne was an important religious center for many years. Because of this, the town has other historic buildings.
- There is a Church of Ireland Cathedral in Cloyne. It was built around 1250 AD.
- The local Catholic Church is called St. Colman's. It was built much later, in 1815.
- In the 1800s, the round tower was used to hold the bell for the Cathedral.
There is also an old Norman watchtower nearby. Its ruins can be seen on a hill overlooking the town.
Images for kids
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Painting of the tower by Edward Fanshawe, 1856
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