Standing in the glebe lands of Inishkeen, this round tower represents one of County Monaghan’s important ecclesiastical monuments, notable for its substantial dimensions and evidence of both medieval construction and modern restoration. Despite significant alterations over the centuries, the tower retains valuable architectural information and continues to serve as a prominent landmark of medieval Irish monasticism.

Substantial Medieval Proportions

The round tower demonstrates impressive medieval construction, with a circumference of 51 feet (external diameter approximately 4.85 meters) that places it among the larger examples of Irish round towers. Rising to a surviving height of 42 feet (approximately 12.8 meters), the structure would have originally been considerably taller when complete with its conical cap, likely reaching 25-30 meters in its medieval form.

These substantial dimensions indicate the tower was built for a monastery of considerable importance and resources, capable of funding construction on this impressive scale. The large diameter also suggests the tower was designed to accommodate significant interior space across multiple floors.

Rebuilt Doorway and Modern Modifications

The “rebuilt lintelled doorway is 4.1m off the ground and faces SE,” indicating significant reconstruction work that has altered the original medieval entrance. The term “rebuilt” suggests the current doorway incorporates both original medieval elements and later restoration materials, making it difficult to assess the original architectural details.

The southeastern orientation of the doorway follows a common pattern among Irish round towers, where entrances often faced toward the rising sun, though this may also have been influenced by the positioning of associated church buildings or topographical considerations.
The height of 4.1 meters above ground level is slightly higher than the typical 2-4 meter range for most Irish round tower doorways, which may result from either ground level changes over centuries or alterations during the rebuilding process.

Archaeological Investigation of 1973

The tower underwent significant archaeological work in 1973 when “debris in the interior was cleared to 0.75m below ground level.” This excavation represented important conservation work that both cleared accumulated rubble from the interior and provided opportunities to examine the tower’s foundation systems and internal organization.

The clearance to below ground level suggests substantial debris had accumulated over centuries, possibly from collapsed internal floors, weather damage, or deliberate dumping of material. The removal of this debris would have been essential for stabilizing the structure and preventing further deterioration.

Interior Floor System Evidence

Historical documentation by Reade indicates “the tower had three internal floors,” suggesting a four-story organization including the ground level. However, “only two levels of internal corbels survive,” indicating that evidence of one floor level has been lost, possibly due to structural damage, stone removal, or alterations during reconstruction work.

The survival of corbels; stone brackets that projected from the walls to support wooden floors, provides valuable evidence of medieval construction techniques. These corbels would have supported timber floors that divided the tower’s interior into functional spaces for storage, accommodation, and ultimately bell-ringing activities.

Loss of Medieval Features

The discrepancy between historical records of three floors and current evidence of only two corbel levels illustrates the gradual loss of architectural detail that affects many Irish round towers. The missing floor evidence may result from various factors: structural collapse, deliberate stone removal for building materials, or damage during reconstruction efforts.

This pattern of incremental loss emphasizes the importance of historical documentation in understanding how these towers originally functioned and appeared, as physical evidence continues to diminish over time.

Conservation Status and Protection

The tower’s designation as National Monument No. 208 in State ownership ensures professional conservation management and legal protection. This status is particularly important for a structure that has undergone significant alterations, as it provides framework for appropriate conservation approaches that respect both original medieval fabric and necessary modern interventions.
State ownership also ensures public access for educational and research purposes, allowing continued study of the tower’s construction techniques and historical development.

Regional Context

As one of County Monaghan’s principal round tower sites, Inishkeen contributes to understanding the distribution and character of early medieval monasticism in Ulster. The tower’s substantial size suggests the Inishkeen monastery was a significant regional center, possibly serving surrounding communities and maintaining connections with other major ecclesiastical sites.

Evidence of Adaptive Preservation

The rebuilding of the doorway and the 1973 archaeological clearance represent efforts to preserve and maintain this ancient monument for future generations. While such interventions necessarily alter the tower’s original fabric, they also ensure the structure’s survival and continued accessibility.

This balance between preservation and necessary modification reflects ongoing challenges in conserving medieval monuments that require active intervention to prevent collapse while maintaining their historical integrity.

Architectural and Archaeological Significance

Despite its alterations, the Inishkeen round tower provides valuable evidence about medieval Irish construction techniques, monastic organization, and the ongoing challenges of monument conservation. The surviving corbels offer insights into original floor systems, while the tower’s impressive dimensions reflect the importance of the medieval monastery.