Round Tower / An Cloigtheach
Monasterboice, Ireland
<br><br><b>Round Tower</b><br><br> The round tower was the Irish reaction to the Norse raids on monasteries in the 10th/11th century A.D. These tapering buildings, over 100 feet high, served as watch-towers, belfries, repositories for church valuables and as refuges for the community. The door, normally 15-20 feet above ground was reached by a movable ladder and the interior was divided into four or more storeys.<br><br> The present height of the tower is 110 feet. The level of the surroundings has been raised by burials and the conical cap is missing.<br><br> —————<br><br> <b>An Cloigtheach</b><br><br> Mar chosaint ar ruathair na lochlannach faoi mhainistreacha sa 10ú/11ú A.D. A tógadh na cloigthithe, b'áiteanna faire, láithreacha clog, ionaid thaisce do sheoda Eaglaise agus termainn do muintir na mainistreach na cloigthithe arda sin. Bhíodh an doras de ghnáth 15-20 troigh os cionn na talún agus dréimire inaistrithe suas chuige. Bhíodh ceithre úrlár nó tuilleadh á roinnt laistigh.<br><br> Iio troigh ar airde atá an cloigtheach anois. Tá an talamh ina thimpeall ardaithe anois ag uaigheanna, agus tá an caipín coirceogach ar iarraidh.