Round Tower at Kilkenny

Artist(s): Theresa Cornwallis Whitby West (Draughtsman)

View of the round tower in Kilkenny. The structure stands in the centre of the image, surrounded by gravestones. Part of the transept of St Canice's Cathedral is visible on the left hand side of the image. Trees are behind the buildings, and beyond them a dome is visible in the distance.

Inscribed in Image

Signature – G. MEAS{...}

Image Details

Genre	Landscape
Technique	Wood engravings
Subject(s)	Antiquities and archaeological sites, Architecture
Geographical Location	Kilkenny – County Kilkenny – Town or city Leinster – Province St Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower – Named locality
Keyword(s)	Archaeological sites, Cemeteries, Churches, Round towers, Tombs & sepulchral monuments, Towers, Trees
Colour	Monochrome
Dimensions	8.3 cm x 6.2 cm
Published / created	1847

Bibliographical Details

Travel Account	A summer visit to Ireland in 1846
Contributor(s)	Theresa Cornwallis Whitby West — Role: Author of travel text
Print or manuscript	Print
Location of image in copy	p. 56
Source copy	National Library of Ireland J 9141
Alternative source This is a link to a digital copy hosted by an external website.	http://hdl.handle.net/2027/yale.39002067948399?urlappend=%3Bseq=74
Permalink	https://ttce.universityofgalway.ie/irelandillustrated/view/image/ii_image_1371113366
Rights	Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Related text from travel account

July 18. — Alas ! it rains ! a regular downpour ! but never mind, there is a covered car to be hired, and into it we step, bound for the Castle. It was originally built by Strongbow, became the stronghold of the Ormonds, its actual possessors, is re-modernised, and done -well. The great gallery is very handsome, 140 feet long, and hung with fine family portraits, and other pictures. From the drawing-room window you look out on the Nore, the fine bridge, Cathedral of St. Canice, and the old Round Tower beside it. To this we next bent our steps. The church is full of the tombs of the ancient Ormondes; there they lie in their chain armour, proud knightly personages even in death, and amongst them the modern monument of Sir Denys Packe, with // the colours of his regiment suspended overhead. Those who now bear the name, appear to live in the hearts of the townspeople, who spoke well of their good deeds, and hoped for their prompt return. My chief attention was directed to the Round Tower, said to be 108 feet high, and 48 feet in circumference at the base. I sketched it rapidly while the rain fell around me, which prevented my comparing as I wished to have done minutely, the shape of the small entrances with those of Glendalough. The circle round the // summit is a variation from that one, and the masonry of this seemed to my eyes most even and finished. [pp. 55-57]