A memorial built for a loving husband

Round towers normally date back to the 9th or 10th centuries but this one, however, is only 170 years old. It can be found on the grounds of St Ita’s Hospital. Portrane Round Tower is a 19th-century imitation that was built as a memorial to George Evans. Evans was the local MP for Dublin County between 1832–41 and the last family member to live in Portrane House. The tower was erected in 1844 by George’s wife Sophie Evans in his memory. Sophie was a relation of Charles Stewart Parnell and so it remains a striking token of a woman’s love for her husband. The tower once included a bust of George which was later taken to Oxford University. If you look closely you will see it has a concrete base and the proportions of the cap, the arched doorways, and the windows are too large as compared to an original – still, however…good effort!