Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland, fyc. 363 



of similar materials with the daimhliag, and having its height and the expense 

 of its erection determined by a certain rule bearing on its usual proportion to 

 that of its accompanying church. When this proportion was observed, the 

 expense of building each was the same ; and when the height of the Tower 

 exceeded that specified, its expense was increased accordingly. 



It is not, of course, necessary to my purpose, to attempt an explanation of 

 the rule for determining the height of the belfry ; yet, as a matter of interest to 

 the reader, I am tempted to hazard a conjecture as to the mode in which it 

 should be understood. It appears, then, to me, that by the measurement of the 

 base of the Tower, must be meant its external circumference, not its diameter ; 

 and, in like manner, the measurement of the base of the daimhliag must be its 

 perimeter, or the external measurement of its four sides. If, then, we understand 

 these terms in this manner, and apply the rule as directed, the result will very 

 well agree with the measurements of the existing ancient churches and towers. 

 For example, the cathedral church at Glendalough, as it appears to have been 

 originally construe ted, for the present chancel seems an addition of later time, 

 was fifty-five feet in length and thirty-seven feet in breadth, giving a perimeter of 

 184 feet. If from this we subtract the circumference of the Tower, at the base, 

 or foundation, which is fifty-two feet, we shall have a remainder of 132 feet, as the 

 prescribed height for the latter. And such, we may well believe, was about the 

 original height of this structure ; for, to its present height of 110 feet, should be 

 added from fifteen to eighteen feet for its conical roof, now wanting, and perhaps 

 a few feet at its base, which are concealed by the accumulation of earth around it. 

 In cases of churches having a chancel as well as nave, the rule, thus understood, 

 seems equally applicable ; for example, the church of Iniscaltra gives a peri- 

 meter of 162 feet, from which deducting forty-six feet, the circumference of the 

 Tower, we have 116 feet as the prescribed height of the latter; which cannot 

 be far from the actual original height of the Tower ; for, to its present height of 

 eighty feet must be added ten or twelve feet for the upper story, which is now 

 wanting, fifteen feet for its conical roof, and a few feet for a portion concealed 

 at its base. 



Additional evidences on this primary purpose of the Round Towers would, I 

 think, be superfluous ; and I shall therefore proceed, without further delay, to a 

 consideration of the evidences which have led me to conclude that these build- 



3 A 2 



