Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland, fyc. 373 



" A. D. 1 127. Conor, son of Feargal O'Lochluin, marched at the head of a great Army of the 

 forces of the North of Ireland, into Meath ; they burnt the steeple and church of Ath Truim, in 

 which was a great number of people." 



And thus in an old translation of certain Munster Annals, as quoted by 

 Archdall in his Monasticon : 



" A. D. 1127. Conor, the son of Feargal O'Lochluin, and the northern forces, burnt the 

 Steeple and Church of the Abbey of Trim, both of which were filled with unfortunate people, who 

 had fled thither for safety." 



Again, in the Annals of the Four Masters, the following passage occurs, 

 relative to the existing Round Tower of Ferta, in the county of Kilkenny : 



" A. D. 1156. GochctiD Ua Cuirin, an c-apD-rhcnjir-cep, DO lofccao i g-cloicrhech na 

 Fepca." 



" A. D. 1 156. Eochaidh O'Cuinn, the Chief Master, was burnt in the ckictheach of Ferta." 



The last notice, in reference to this subject, which I have to adduce, relates 

 to the Round Tower of Telach Ard, near Trim, which fell about the year 1764. 

 It occurs in the Annals of the Four Masters : 



"A. D. 1171. Cloiccheach Celcha Gipo oo lopccao la Cijeapnan Ua Ruaipc, co n-a Ian 

 oo oaomiB ann." 



" A. D. 1171. The Cloictheach of Telach Ard was burnt by Tighearnan O'Euairc, with its full 

 of people in it." 



The various evidences which I have now adduced must, I think, furnish a 

 sufficient answer to the only objection which has been urged against the use of 

 the Round Towers as places of safety and defence, and satisfy the most sceptical 

 inquirer, that such was one of the primary objects for which they were erected. 

 Nor should it be forgotten that, even without an acquaintance with such histo- 

 rical evidences, the very nature of their construction alone has led several 

 distinguished inquirers to regard such purpose as the primary and only one. 

 Thus, Colonel Montmorency, in his Historical and Critical Inquiry into the 

 Origin and primitive Use of the Irish Pillar-tower, remarks : 



" The Pillar-tower, as a defensive hold, taking into account the period that produced it, may 

 fairly pass for one of the completest inventions that can well be imagined. Impregnable every way, 

 and proof against fire, it could never be taken by assault. Although the abbey and its dependen- 

 cies blazed around, the Tower disregarded the fury of the flames ; its extreme height, its isolated 

 position, and diminutive doorway, elevated so many feet above the ground, placed it beyond the 



