1 864.] 



The Pillar Towers of the British Islands. 



561 



become rich and striking ; the latter narrowing as they recede into the 

 wall. The capitals of some of the columns are heads, the hair of which 

 is entwined with snake-like animals ; as in the Timahoe, and Kildare, 

 the ornaments of which resemble the rich and elaborate decorations on 

 Cormac's chapel Cashel, executed towards the end of the ninth century. 

 It may be allowed that Norman builders executed these doorways, and 

 decorated them with the ornaments and symbols of their religion, like 



Donnaghmore. McCartney's church and Pillar 



Tower, Clonmacnoise. 

 their churches and other buildings. As they were in the habit of 

 working in sandstone, these ornamented entrances in the Pillar Towers 

 were usually of this stone. So much was this prized, and so marked 

 is the contrast between the entrance and the Tower, that the former 

 is supposed by that able architect, Mr. K. B. Brush, to have been 

 subsequently inserted. 



The Donnaghmore Pillar Tower has the ruins of a church and 

 belfry close to it. This having been more modern, and being used as 

 a place of retreat, has the door elevated, and is without the four upper 

 windows. A crucifixion is over the door (page 564,) of this Tower. 



McCartney's church in the N. W. side of the cemetery of 

 Clonmacnoise, is interesting from its having a Pillar Tower built at 

 the same time, of the same stone, and similar in the character of the 

 masonry. Part of the solidity of the Tower was sacrificed to give full 



4 c 



