The Curious Case of Kildare's Round Tower: Talk

For more than 1,000 years, the Round Tower at St Brigid’s Cathedral has watched over Kildare — surviving multiple assaults including the artillery of the Cromwellian wars, the loss of its original conical cap in the 1730s, and centuries when the cathedral beside it stood roofless and overgrown with ivy.

At 33 metres, it remains the highest Round Tower in Ireland you can still climb, rewarding those who reach the summit with views across five counties. Yet the greatest threat to this medieval survivor may be the quietest one. Weathering, falling stones, and the slow work of time have made conservation an ongoing priority.

Join us to discover the extraordinary story of a resilient monument and to discover what it requires to keep Ireland’s heritage standing for the generations still to come.