Rattoo Round Tower: A Window to Medieval Ireland

Rattoo Round Tower is a striking example of Ireland's monastic heritage, located near the village of Ballyduff in County Kerry. Standing at approximately 29 meters (90 feet) tall, it is the only complete round tower remaining in Kerry. The tower dates back to around 1100 AD and is associated with an early monastery founded by Bishop Lughach, one of the first Christian evangelists in the region, in the 6th century. The tower is constructed from hard quartzose sandstone, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era. Its features include a round-headed doorway about 2.8 meters above ground level, which originally would have been accessed by a ladder. The doorway has unique molding with two curved spirals on its top arch. Above the door is a small pointed window, with four more windows at the top of the tower facing each cardinal direction. Notably, a Sheela-na-gig carving, a pagan fertility symbol, was discovered on the inner frame of the north window during restoration work. It is the only Sheela-na-gig associated with a round tower. The surrounding ecclesiastical complex includes a graveyard with tombs and headstones, and the ruins of a 15th-century church built with stones from an even earlier house of worship. The site provides a tangible link to Ireland's early Christian past and the tower stands as a testament to the skills and beliefs of its builders. While internal access to the tower is not permitted, visitors can explore the exterior and the surrounding grounds.