Standing in the dramatic shadow of Ben Bulben and less than a kilometer from the mouth of the Drumcliff River, this round tower represents one of Ireland’s most scenically situated ecclesiastical monuments. Despite its truncated state and the historical vandalism it has endured, the tower serves as a powerful reminder of the monastery founded here by St. Columcille around 574 AD and the centuries of turbulent history that followed.

Legendary Foundation by St. Columcille

The monastery at Drumcliff holds exceptional significance in Irish ecclesiastical history, traditionally founded by St. Columcille (Columba) around 574 AD on land granted by Aed son of Ainmire, King of Ireland. St. Columcille appointed St. Thorian (Mothorain) as the first abbot, establishing what would become one of the most important monastic centers in northwest Ireland.

This legendary foundation places Drumcliff among the earliest and most prestigious Irish monasteries, founded by one of the three great patron saints of Ireland during the golden age of Irish monasticism. The royal patronage involved in the foundation emphasizes the site’s exceptional importance from its earliest days.

Strategic Location and Setting

The tower’s position “40m NW of Drumcliff graveyard, in the shadow of Ben Bulben, and less than a kilometre from the mouth of the Drumcliff River, on the E side of Drumcliff Bay” represents one of the most spectacular settings for any Irish round tower. This location combines dramatic natural landmarks with strategic positioning near water transport routes.

The proximity to Drumcliff Bay would have made the monastery accessible to travelers and pilgrims arriving by sea, while the distinctive profile of Ben Bulben provided a natural landmark visible from great distances. The tower itself would have served as a human-made counterpart to the natural mountain, marking the monastery’s presence across the landscape.

Current Condition and Historical Damage

The tower “consists of a plain, circular tower (diam. c. 5m; current H c. 9m) of coursed, mortared stone rubble, which no longer stands to its full height.” The structure sits on “a low, narrow plinth or offset (W 0.04-0.1m; H c. 0.5m)” that provides modest architectural emphasis while helping to level the foundation.

The “rectangular, flat-headed doorway” on the east-southeast side measures 54 centimeters wide at the base and 53 centimeters at the top, positioned 1.78 meters above the offset. A single “square-headed window at SSW, c. 2m below the current top of the tower” provides the only surviving fenestration.

Vandalism for Bridge Construction

The tower’s truncated state results from deliberate destruction documented in the 1836 OS Letters, which record that “a great part of it was demolished for the erection of a bridge in the neighbourhood.” This represents one of the most clearly documented cases of Irish round tower destruction for practical construction purposes.

The tower was known locally as “Claictheach Dhruim Shliabh” (the bell-house of the ridge of the mountain), preserving both the Irish terminology for round towers and the site’s connection to the dramatic Ben Bulben landscape. The systematic demolition for bridge building materials demonstrates how 19th-century infrastructure development often came at the expense of medieval monuments.

Lightning Strike of 1396

The Annals of the Four Masters provide dramatic documentation of natural disaster, recording that the round tower “was struck by lightning in the year 1396.” This event places the tower within the broader pattern of lightning strikes that affected Irish round towers, demonstrating both their vulnerability as tall structures and their importance as landmarks worth recording in medieval annals.

The 1396 lightning strike occurred during a period of continued monastic activity, indicating the tower was still functioning and significant enough for the chroniclers to document its damage.

Monastic History of Violence and Destruction

The annals document repeated attacks on Drumcliff monastery between the late 10th and early 16th centuries, including “the deaths of various abbots, and also repeated occasions when the monastery was attacked and plundered.” The Annals of Connaught record that in 1416 “the abbey was attacked and set on fire, and the abbot Maurice O’Coincoil perished in the flames.”

This pattern of violence reflects the broader turbulence of medieval Ireland, where even the most sacred sites could become targets in political and territorial conflicts. The monastery’s wealth and strategic location may have made it particularly attractive to raiders and rival factions.

Surviving Associated Monuments

The site preserves important carved stone monuments alongside the round tower. “A high cross c. 50m to ESE and remains of a plain cross c. 40m to SE” are both “incorporated into the N boundary wall of the graveyard,” representing a form of preservation through architectural integration.

These crosses, combined with the round tower, constitute “the only visible remains of an important monastery,” emphasizing how completely the other monastic buildings have disappeared while the stone monuments survive as testament to Drumcliff’s former importance.

National Monument Status

The tower’s designation as National Monument No. 119 in State ownership ensures its protection and maintenance. The structure “stands within a small walled enclosure, bordered on the E side by a road (N15),” which provides both protection and accessibility while separating it from the adjacent graveyard.

Archaeological and Historical Significance

Despite the extensive damage from both historical disasters and deliberate destruction, Drumcliff’s round tower retains exceptional importance through its association with St. Columcille, its spectacular natural setting, and its well-documented history spanning nearly a millennium of recorded events.