A unique feature of the Irish landscape are its free-standing round towers orCloigtheach, which literally means bell house.
Photo:Caroline Johnston/Flickr
The towers were probably built between the 9th and 12th centuries.
They were built of stone and mortar.
Such stone and mortar buildings were usually the result of a local kings patronage.
The round towers ranged in height from 20 to 40 meters.
These towers were generally built with very little foundation.
The tower at Monasterboice, for instance, has an underground foundation of only two feet.
Building the door at ground level would have weakened the foundation.
Photo:James Stringer/Flickr
Inside the towers are wooden floors connected by ladders.
The windows are simple slits in the stone and are located high up.
About sixty round towers survive today.
About 120 of them is thought to have once existed.
Most are in ruins, while eighteen to twenty are in perfect condition.
Ardmore Cathedral and Round Tower.
Photo:Michael Foley/Flickr
Round Tower of Glendalough.
Photo:Stefan Jurgensen/Flickr
Oughter Ard Round Tower.
Photo:Bart Busschots/Flickr
Timahoe Round tower.
Photo:Eerko Vissering/Flickr
Taghadoe Round Tower.
