Standing southwest of the current Church of Ireland church in Kells, this round tower occupies what was likely the site of the original daimhliag (stone church). The tower has been incorporated into the masonry wall of the modern graveyard, creating an intriguing blend of medieval and later architecture.

The tower gained dark historical significance in 1076 when Murchadh O’Melaghlin, King of Tara, was murdered within its walls. This violent event transformed the structure from a place of religious refuge into a crime scene that echoes through Irish history.

Built on a plinth that rests directly on the natural rock outcrop, the tower demonstrates the practical engineering of early Irish builders. The entrance doorway faces north and sits 1.5 meters above the current graveyard level, accessible only by ladder—a typical defensive feature of Irish round towers. The doorway is round-arched and constructed of sandstone.

Inside, the tower has an internal diameter of 2.6 meters at the doorway level and contains five floors connected by internal ladders. The upper level features five pointed windows that once provided light and lookout points. Originally, the tower would have been topped with a conical stone cap, but this has been lost over the centuries.

The tower represents both the religious importance of early medieval Kells and the turbulent political landscape of 11th-century Ireland, where even sacred spaces could become scenes of royal violence.