Drumlane Abbey and Round Tower

The original round tower at Drumlane Abbey in County Cavan, was made of wood but replaced with stone in the 12th century under the stewardship of Augustinian monks. During the Middle Ages, the Drumlane estate was ruled by the O’Farrelly clan. Today a medieval gravestone with intricate carvings is said to mark the burial place of a member of the family. The nearby church is the largest of the buildings to survive, but the monastery was far more extensive in its original form. Drumlane Abbey was attacked and burned in 1261 by the O'Rourke family, then suppressed as part of the Reformation in the 16th century. Some of the lands were awarded to the O’Reilly clan by the English monarchy, but after the defeat of the rebellion of 1641, the land was farmed by planters. The round tower is the most distinguished part of the estate. A tall, circular stone structure, it remains the only surviving round tower in the Diocese of Kilmore. Round towers are of Christian origin and were erected at various periods between the 5th and 13th centuries to serve as places of refuge in which valuable relics and manuscripts were hidden during attacks. The entrance to the tower at Drumlane is about nine feet above the ground. Visit Drumlane Abbey to find a wonderful natural retreat and the perfect place in which to spend a tranquil morning.

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Cavan