Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland, fyc. 89 



least, a probability, that the human bones there found, had been disturbed from their original rest- 

 ing place, within the foundation walls. It must, however, be admitted, that the Cashel researches, 

 cannot be adduced as a positive instance of the sepulchral character of these towers. Not so with 

 Cloyne ; there, at a depth from the doorway of about thirteen feet, being very nearly the same as at 

 Ardmore, were found the bones of four human skeletons lying in the direction from West to East. 

 The space within which they lay, was an irregular serrated oval of about six feet and a half by four. 



" The Roscrea Tower was opened three weeks since, at the request of our Society, by Edward 

 Wall, Esq. of that town, who discovered human remains all through, from the doorway downwards, 

 in a depth of over ten feet. To the very interesting particulars given by Mr. Wall, we purport ad- 

 verting hereafter, as his researches are not yet concluded. 



" The correspondence with Sir William Betham has shewn the success of the discoveries to which 

 that learned and zealous antiquary has been instrumental. His noble friend, the Marquis of Down- 

 shire, caused to be opened the Round Tower of Drumbo. The tower of Maghera has also been 

 opened ; in both of which were found human remains. Similar results had previously attended the 

 opening of the tower on Ram Island. The two most remarkable instances remain to be mentioned. 

 We have the authority of Sir William Betham, that in the tower of Timahoe, there were not only 

 human bones, but that a sepulchral Urn was found; and by Mr. Black's history we learn that in 

 Abernethy tower (Scotland) human skulls and bones were found in great numbers, and there was 

 also discovered an urn. These two facts prove that Timahoe and Abernethy towers, at least, were 

 pagan structures, and leave a strong presumption in favour of the same inference with regard to the 

 others. As we are aware that many further researches are about to be made, we hope ere long to 

 present our readers with the results." 



With respect to the discoveries in the Round Tower of Cloyne, upon which 

 so much has been said, and so much stress laid, I shall only add, that it is my 

 firm conviction, that none of the South Munster Society of Antiquaries were 

 present at the exhumation of the bones ; that the story of this exhumation, 

 which has assumed so many forms, rests on no better authority than that of the 

 sexton, who was hired by the antiquaries to make the examination, and whose 

 story, in many of its details, the antiquaries themselves did not believe to be 

 true ; and lastly, that the utmost that can be concluded from it is, that frag- 

 ments of human bones were found in the rubbish, intermingled with those of 

 other animals, oyster shells, and other remains. Of the discoveries of a similar 

 nature more recently made in the Towers of Eoscrea, Maghera, Drumbo, and, 

 I believe, others, no detailed accounts have reached me, with the exception of 

 those in the Tower of Drumbo : I believe, however, that it is only the disco- 

 veries in this Tower that are considered of any importance, and of these I am 

 enabled to present the reader with an accurate account, kindly communicated 



VOL. XX. N 



