- Antrim Round Tower
- Ardboe Cross
- Ballygroll Prehistoric Complex
- Beaghmore Stone Circles
- Belfast Castle
- Benburb Castle
- Boa Island Cemetery
- Carrickfergus Castle
- Devenish Island Monastic Site
- Downhill Castle
- Drumskinny Stone Circle
- Dundrum Castle
- Dunluce Castle
- Enniskillen Castle
- Giants Ring
- Greencastle Royal Castle
- Grey Abbey
- Harry Averys Castle
- Hillsborough Castle
- Mountsandel Fort
- Nendrum Monastic Site
- Scrabo Tower
- White Island Lough Erne
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Antrim Round Tower
The Round Tower and Bullaun Stone are impressive reminders of Antrim’s ancient monastic settlement. The tower was built around the 10th century as a bell-tower for protection from raiders and is known locally as The Steeple. It tapers from a base 50ft in circumference and is 93ft (28m) high with a raised door. The Round Tower is one of only two of its kind in Northern Ireland and stands among lush lawns and trees. There is an unusual cross carved stone above the lintel and also eight simple, flat headed windows. The tower would appear to be about a thousand years old and is the last remaining part of a Celtic Monastic Settlement. The monastic site was burned in 1147...
Witches Stone Legend
Close to the round tower sits a large stone. On one side of the stone there is a nearly level surface with two shallow indents which are said to be always filled with water.
There have been two suggested uses for this stone. Firstly, that the Aentrobhs monks used it as a kitchen tool to wash grain in the larger hole with water from a nearby stream and then to grind it in the smaller hole. Secondly tradition states than in the early ages the converted pagans who inhabited or worshipped at the Round Tower were baptized and annointed here. The larger hole was used as a bapismal font and the smaller one for containing the holy oil.
However many Antrim folk believe that a witch proved very troublesome when the tower was being erected and upon its completion to express her dissatisfaction she jumped from its summit and landed on a stone, 120 yards north of it. She left in it the impressions of her knee and elbow which still remain and to this day it is known as the witches stone.
Free access all year round. (The interior is not accessible) Location: Steeple Road, Antrim, Co Antrim. |
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