Castledermot – Round Tower and Monastic Heritage

Castledermot brings together early monastic traces and later Franciscan architecture. The 10th-century round tower, St. James's Church and the ruins of the Franciscan friary give the town a distinct focus on religious history and architecture. Practical differences are also important when planning your visit: the round tower can only be viewed from the outside, and up to an hour is recommended for a particular section of the site.

The Round Tower as a Landmark

The Castledermot Round Tower dates from the 10th century and is approximately 20 metres high. It was built from granite fieldstones, giving it a pebbled appearance. Five levels and medieval-looking battlements define its shape. The tower dominates the skyline and helps visitors spot St. James's Church in the landscape; it stands north of the main church. The round tower is a National Monument in state care.

The round tower can only be viewed from the outside; entry is not permitted. Its entrance is at ground level, but this does not allow access to the interior. Plan to view it from the outside and check the access conditions again before travelling.

St. James's Church and the Monastic Settlement

St. James's Church forms the historic core of Castledermot and continues a long ecclesiastical presence at its location. Its grounds contain the remains of a 12th-century church and a 10th-century round tower, both of considerable archaeological significance. The church is a prominent building on Church Lane; it can be viewed from Abbey Street through the western avenue.

The monastic settlement of Castledermot was founded by the 9th century at the latest and traces its origins to St. Diarmuid, who died in AD 825. It includes numerous grave slabs, cross slabs and cross-inscribed stones, as well as high crosses, a hogback grave, architectural fragments, the round tower and the parish church of St. James.

The North Cross, a tall 10th-century granite ringed cross, stands in Castledermot cemetery. The Castledermot hogback stone is unique in Ireland. The settlement is also the burial place of Cormac mac Cuilennáin, Bishop and King of Munster, who died in AD 938.

The Franciscan Friary

Castledermot Franciscan Friary was built around 1247 on the site of an older monastery founded by St. Diarmuid. It was attacked and plundered during the Bruce invasion of 1315 to 1318, then rebuilt. The Franciscan friary is also a National Monument in state care.

Only the now-ruined church remains of what was once an important monastic settlement. It was built of regularly coursed granite, with granite quoins at the corners. Several lancet windows lit the transept and choir; some feature tracery with varied linear ornamentation.

Visiting Time and the Kildare Monastic Trail

The Kildare Monastic Trail leads to Castledermot Monastery, where visitors can discover high crosses, a round tower and Ireland's only Scandinavian-influenced Viking hogback grave. At Castledermot Friary, visitors can walk along the trail through the remains of a Franciscan friary that served the medieval town of Castledermot. In terms of chronology, the monastic settlement dates back to the 9th century at the latest, while the Franciscan friary was built around 1247.

Up to an hour is recommended for visiting the site with the round tower, high cross and St David's Graveyard.

Discover more destinations: Moyvally, Clane, Newbridge, Celbridge, Kilmartin, Kildangan, Calverstown, Maynooth

For the broader travel overview: County Kildare.