One of the most elegant Romanesque doorways in Ireland

The Timahoe Round Tower is set within peaceful parklands beside a bridge over the Bauteogue River with space for walks and picnics. It stands over 30m high and has one of the most elegant Romanesque doorways in Ireland with fine carvings of human heads that have flowing beards and moustaches. The tower dates to the 12th century and stands on the grounds of a 6th-century monastery that was founded by Saint Mochua. Nearby this historic area, the former 19th-century Church of Ireland is now used as a library and a ruined 17th-century castle contains elements from a 15th-century church. A sculpture on the tower grounds was commissioned by the local primary school. Entitled ‘Mochua’s Desk’, it depicts St. Mochua and three pets in a famous story about the saint: a rooster who woke him, a mouse who nibbled his ear if he fell asleep while praying, and a fly that stopped at the word Mochua stopped on when reading his prayers.