Kilree Monastic site is only a short three kilometre drive from the magnificent Kells Priory which it predates by a few hundred years. According to folklore the site dates back to the 6th century and was dedicated to St Rhuidche. We also know that the site came to be in the possession of Kells Priory by 1340AD. The beautiful 29 metre round tower that looms over the entire site is now capless, however the top of the tower does appear to be battlemented. A framed doorway stands 2 metres above the ground. Most Round Towers in Ireland date from 950AD-1100AD so we can surmise that it was built earlier than the church that stands to its south. This medieval period church was built on the ruins of a previous structure and is buttressed on its western wall. There is a High Cross nearby which sadly on the day I visited I was unaware of, it is believed that the Northern O'Neill High King, Niall Caille is buried underneath the cross, as he drowned in the nearby Kings River in 844AD. This is a very beautiful and peaceful place, I will return.
This entry was posted in Church, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, Round Tower and tagged Church, Co. Kilkenny, Graveyard, Medieval, Monastery, Round Tower, Tower. Bookmark the permalink.
Have loved your posts this year — looking forward to more next year. Thank you and happy Christmas!
Unfortunately I missed out on the high cross 🙁 But yeah you can reach the entrance door of the tower, all thats inside seems to be grass/tree cuttings decomposing. Lovely feelign to this site.
Been working on a few maps I must share with you at some stage of the remaining places I wish to visit in each county. Would you believe that in Louth alone there is another 59 sites I wanna check out!
Oh I can totally believe it. I started my map almost a year ago, it just keeps on getting bigger every week. And that's just sites that are in striking distance from my home in Kildare. I'm almost afraid of what is to be found along the west coast. I believe that's were the majority of Neolithic sites are located?
Aye. As far as I know googlemaps limits maps to 200 placemarks. This is why I have started multiple maps. Funnily enough from Kildare originally myself, just outside Prosperous.