TRANSACTIONS 



OF THE 



ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY. 



An Inquiry into the Origin and Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland ; 

 comprising Remarks on the Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland anterior 

 to the Anglo-Norman Invasion. By GEORGE PETRIE, ESQ., R.H. A., 

 M.R.I.A., &c. 



Read 27th May, 1833. 



INTRODUCTION. 



THE question of the Origin and Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland has so 

 frequently occupied the attention of distinguished modern antiquaries, without 

 any decisive result, that it is now generally considered as beyond the reach of 

 conclusive investigation ; and any further attempt to remove the mystery 

 connected with it may, perhaps, be looked upon as hopeless and presumptuous. 

 If, however, it be considered that most of those inquirers, however distin- 

 guished for general ability or learning, have been but imperfectly qualified for 

 this undertaking, from the want of the peculiar attainments which the subject 

 required inasmuch as they possessed but little accurate skill in the science 

 (if it may be so called) of architectural antiquities, but slight knowledge of our 

 ancient annals and ecclesiastical records, and, above all, no extensive acquaint- 



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