The Round Tower, Clondalkin was founded in the 7th century by St Mochua and is one of only four remaining round towers in Co. Dublin. Thought to have been built around 790 AD, the tower stands at 27.5 metres high, still has its original cap and is thought to be the slenderest of all the round towers in Ireland.
The Round Tower experience incorporates an interactive visitor centre, gardens, cafe, terraced dining area, exhibition and gallery spaces and shop.
The exhibition can be enjoyed through eight distinctive themed spaces of the refurbished 19th century Mill Cottages and brings to life the monastic setting, the Viking legacy, the 19th and early 20th-century setting of Clondalkin, a busy Dublin village, as well as exploring the role that round towers performed both socially and politically in Ireland.
Clondalkin Round Tower is about 1000 years old. It was built in the centre of an early medieval monastery, which was originally founded by St Crónán Mo-Chua in the late 600s or early 700s. No one knows for certain why round towers were built or what they were used for. But most likely, they were mainly used as bell towers. The tower is 27.5 meters high and just four meters wide at the bottom. Like others around the country, Clondalkin Round Tower has a raised doorway and four windows at the top, which face towards the four compass points: north, south, east and west. Inside there were once six floors, which were all connected with ladders. There are now five floors, and the original openings for the door and windows all survive.
The visitor centre is located close to Corkagh Park, the Grand Canal Greenway and Áras Chrónáin Irish Cultural Centre, which combined add a different heritage experience beyond the city centre and close to the natural outdoors of Dublin in South Dublin County.
Visit Us and Tour Bookings
Visit the Round Tower Experience, which incorporates an interactive visitor centre, public gardens, café, terraced dining area, exhibition and gallery spaces and shop.
Two types of tours are available:
(1) self-guided with the aid of an audio guide. Click here to download our audio guide on your apple or android device. The audio guide is available in the following languages: English, Irish, French, German and Spanish
(2) a guided tour given by a trained volunteer member of Clann Chrónáin Tour Guides who would be delighted to meet, greet and lead your group on the site of Clondalkin’s most important National Monument. Pre-booked tours (booked at least a week in advance) are available Monday-Friday mornings, Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday: 8am – 3pm
Group Bookings
We welcome group tours and special interest groups.
School Tours
The Round Tower is an ideal venue for school tours. Combining fun with education, it makes for an ideal day out for your school tour this year! Please note that due to the size of the exhibition rooms, maximum group size is 45 persons, divided into smaller groups each with a Guide.
Accessibility
The Round Tower Centre is fully accessible with lift, toilet facilities and on-site parking.
Dogs
Much as we love dogs, we’re unable to let them inside the Round Tower Centre. Guide dogs only are allowed inside.
Parking
Coach parking is available at the nearby Clondalkin Leisure Centre.
Contact
Tower Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, D22 DV56
Website
Visit The Round Tower Experience | Interactive Centre | Group Bookings