base of the conical covering are, in most cases four, and sometimes five large openings[1].
The masonry and the doorways are stated to have a close resemblance to the architecture common to the Lombardic and Norman structures, which erected on the decline of Roman architecture.
Doorway of Tower of Donoughmore.
Some of the doorways present highly enriched examples of the Norman style, others contain carvings exhibiting emblems of the Christian religion; one of these, on the doorway of the tower of Donoughmore, county of Meath, represents the Crucifixion; another, on the large lintel of a flat-headed doorway of the Antrim round tower, exhibits a cross of a different character; bands and tori are also occasionally met with. All these features of decoration are supposed by Mr. Wilkinson to be original. The interior of the towers is divided at certain regular heights for floors, which rested on the sets-off formed in the diminished thickness of the walls, or on transverse beams, the ends of which were inserted in holes; the several floors are considered to have been approached by ladders, or some such moveable contrivance. A section of one of the floors at present remaining in the round tower of Meelick, county of Mayo, is here given.
Section of Floor in the round Tower of Meelick.
The great height of the towers is considered to be owing to the necessity for using them as watch-towers, for observing the approach or retreat of hostile parties, as they were, probably, often surrounded by trees; at the same time they may have indicated the position of the church with which they were connected. An interesting example of the combination of the round tower with the early stone-roofed church, is afforded by the Crypt of St. Kevin, as it is commonly called, of which a representation is given in the following page. Mr. Wilkinson considers the churches of this description as displaying what may be termed the transition style from the round tower to the later church.
The similarity of construction and contrivance, which is to be observed
- ↑ The ornamented moulding, at the base of the conical covering of the Devenish tower, is of very remarkable character, which has not been exhibited by Mr. Wilkinson; and to which at some future occasion we may recall the attention of our readers.
