Round Towers of Ireland. 347 
of Ireland, that we have not the slightest 
doubt of their being all referable to the 
same period, the same peeple, and the same 
purposes. We have here the modern ca- 
thedral of more polished architecture, but 
now in ruins, and the smaller and ruder 
churches of an earlier date; and, on examin- 
ation, one of these at least would probably 
be found to be of the same age as the neigh- 
bouring Round Tower. Thatthis last, situa- 
ted ona high rock, overhanging the sea, 
should have been used as a Watch-Tower is 
natural enough; and had all the Irish Round 
Towers occupied such commanding situations, 
it would be perfectly reasonable to suppose 
that such an application was in part, if not 
altogether, the object of their erection. 
I cannot finally dismiss the above quota- 
tion, without expressing my belief, that had 
the author of Peveril devoted a very small 
portion of the talent and industry, which have 
rendered him so eminently versed in the an- 
tiquities of his own country, to those ot 
Treland, he would not have said, that the pro- 
per use of these towers “still remains hidden 
in the mist of ages.” 
Amongst those who think the Round Towers 
were Danish Watch-'T'owers is Peter Walsh, 
who wrote in the year 1684. Other writers 
