Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland, 



429 



built up with solid masonry. I may further observe, that, even before the de- 

 struction of the chancel, the earlier antiquity of the larger building was so evi- 



dent, that it was noticed by the artists sent by Colonel Burton Conyngham in 

 1779 to make drawings of the antiquities at Glendalough, in whose notes, as 

 published by Archdall, we find this remark : 



" The walls of the double building are separated from those of the larger, and, though un- 

 doubtedly very ancient, yet the inferiority of the materials and workmanship, evidently show that 

 this work was posterior to the former, and erected by much less skillful builders." 



That the small round turret belfry on the west gable, is an addition co- 

 temporaneous with those already noticed, is, if not certain, at least in the 

 highest degree probable; for its masonry, like the former, is of an inferior cha- 

 racter to the building on which it rests ; nor would such a belfry have been 

 necessary, till the building had been converted to a place for public worship in 

 the manner already described. 



When divested of these subsequent additions, we find that St. Kevin's 

 House differs but little in size, and still less in plan, from that called St. Columb's 



