Round Towers
Much at the same time as the High Crosses were carved, the distinctive round towers of irlenad appeared. There is much debate about the reasons.
- Was it for the ringing of bells?
- Were they status symbols?
- Were they to guide pilgrims?
- Did they have a liturgical function? i.e. for processions and show off relics.
- Did they act as watchtowers?
No one knows: Read the theories. See:
- Tadhg O’Keefe, Ireland’s Round Tower, Tempus Publishing 2004
- http://www.roundtowers.org/