Location: In the main Clonmacnoise site.
OS: N 00995 30730
Longitude: -7.9857983
Latitude: 53.327047
Description and History: This structure dates to between 1160 and 1170 and is in the Romanesque style and measures 14m x 6m. The tower is part of the church structure and contemporary with it. It is not as tall as the other tower at Clonmacnoise. The chancel arch survives with some Romanesque style decoration, and a later inserted medieval inner arch. The west window is rather ornate and the highlight of this church. The base of what would have been an ornate doorway survives as well. In the chancel is a finely carved piscina.
When I first visited Clonmacnoise in 2010 this was under scaffolding and a tarp as part of conservation works, so my pictures show the site in different states over a 15 year period.
Difficulty: This structure is the one nearest to the river and it can get a little boggy down there. Still easy though.
Date of Visit: 7th February, 2010. 11th June, 2011. 15th August, 2023. 16th May, 2025.
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| In 2010 when it was partially covered for conservation. |
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| 2011. |
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| The footing of a three order Romanesque doorway. |
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| The gorgeous west window. The lead is a little distracting, but it protects water from running over the surface of the decorations. |
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| The chancel arch. |
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| 2023. |
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| 2025. |
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| The piscina. |
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| The metadata was lost on this photo, so I don't have a date for it, but I think this is from the 2023 visit. |
