This intriguing round tower stands near the northwest corner of the present church at Drumlane, predating the current structure and offering some of the most unusual carved decoration found on any Irish round tower.

The tower rises to a total surviving height of 11.6 meters, with a base diameter of 5.1 meters. The construction tells a story of two distinct building phases: the lower courses up to about 6.7 meters are expertly built with well-set stonework, while the upper section was rebuilt with noticeably cruder workmanship, suggesting later repair or reconstruction.

The entrance follows the typical round tower pattern—a round-headed doorway at first-floor level, facing southeast. This doorway features a raised architrave (decorative molding around the opening) that architectural historians suggest could date the tower to the 11th century. Above the doorway, a single round-headed window survives, though it appears to have been reset during the upper reconstruction phase. The interior shows evidence of floor supports built on stone offsets.

What makes this tower truly remarkable are two carved relief sculptures on the lower section, positioned about 2.2 meters above ground level. On stones facing east and north, images of a hen and a cock appear in relief, both facing left. These carvings are extremely rare in Irish round tower decoration and their meaning remains a mystery to scholars. Such figurative sculpture is seldom found on ecclesiastical towers in Ireland, making these carvings particularly significant for understanding medieval Irish religious art and symbolism.

The combination of architectural features, decorative carving, and construction techniques makes Drumlane’s round tower one of the most archaeologically important examples in Ireland, offering insights into both 11th-century building practices and the symbolic world of medieval Irish monasticism.