Ardmore Round Tower

Declan is said to have founded a monastery at Ardmore in the fifth century, possibly before Patrick's mission, and the village claims to be among the earliest Christian settlements in Ireland. The round tower is twelfth-century, about thirty metres, and is unusually complete - it retains its conical cap, which most have lost, and has projecting string courses dividing it into four external stages, a feature rare among Irish towers. Beside it the cathedral, also twelfth-century with later work, carries on its west gable a set of arcaded panels with Romanesque carving showing the Adoration of the Magi, the Judgement of Solomon, Adam and Eve and other scenes - the most extensive external Romanesque sculpture on any Irish church. Saint Declan's Oratory in the churchyard is a small early building holding what tradition calls his grave. The site is free, unstaffed and open at any hour.

What to look for

• The round tower - about thirty metres with its conical cap intact.
• The west gable panels - the most extensive Romanesque exterior carving in Ireland.
• Saint Declan's Oratory - the small early building with his reputed grave.
• The village setting - above Ardmore with the bay below.

When to go

April to October for the ground and the light on the carving, which faces west. Open at any hour, free. An hour covers it, longer with the cliff walk.

Good to know

The tower cannot be entered. The carved panels are weathered and need looking at closely. Unstaffed with one interpretation panel. The graveyard is in active use.

Nearby

The Ardmore cliff walk starts in the village; Youghal is west across the county line.

Key facts