Drumbo round tower, Round tower in Drumbo, County Down, Northern Ireland
Drumbo round tower is a stone structure rising to approximately 35 feet high with walls measuring about 4 feet thick. The doorway sits roughly 5 feet above ground level, and the interior contains evidence of multiple floor levels that were once supported by timber beams.
The tower dates to the 10th or 11th century and belonged to an Irish monastery that was already recorded in ancient texts around 800 AD. Over the centuries, the structure survived and now stands as a monument from that early medieval period.
The tower reflects medieval building practices that were common across Irish monasteries. Visitors can explore how monks used such structures as part of their daily monastic life.
The tower is located on Presbyterian church grounds and remains accessible throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy views across the Lagan Valley, and it is important to remember that access comes through the church property.
The north side of the tower displays a noticeable bulge where a lintel window sits near the top of the remaining structure. This deformation is visible to the eye and gives the structure a distinctive character that becomes apparent upon closer inspection.
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