OPW Minister announces completion of conservation works on Kells Round Tower
Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran visited Kells yesterday to view the recently completed conservation works to Kells Round Tower.
The monastic settlement of Kells was founded by St Columba in the mid-6th century and is reported to be site where the Book of Kells was completed.
Kells Round Tower was likely erected in the 10th century with the first confirmed record dating to 1076 as the King of Tara, Murchadh O’Melaghlin, was murdered there. The tower stands 26m (85 ft) high, with a round-arched entrance doorway located 1.5m above ground level, made of sandstone.
The tower, with its conical cap missing, has five floors and has five pointed windows at the top. Typically cardinal windows are found at the top of round towers, but it is believed the five pointed windows atop the round tower look upon the access roads and town gate of Kells.
Although Kells Round Tower was structurally sound, over the centuries it had experienced significant mortar loss and stone erosion. The conservation works commenced after the erection of the scaffolding in February 2024.
Given the location of the tower, and its proximity to the footpath and graveyard, for health and safety reasons it was necessary to have fully-boarded scaffolding including a pedestrian walkway/gantry, access stairs, vehicular access, crash deck and public lighting before works could commence.
Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said: "The completion of the conservation works to Kells Round Tower is a significant milestone in preserving our architectural heritage sites. This project demonstrates OPW’s commitment to maintaining and preserving our past and to ensure that future generations to come will enjoy these historic monuments. I want to thank everyone involved in delivering this significant project."
All of this skilled work was carried out by OPW National Monuments skilled craft workers in the Trim District, including the OPW stone masons trained in traditional methods. The conservation works include the removal of vegetation, localised repointing, stone cleaning, repair and consolidation and the introduction of a removable steel floor at entrance level to allow for access.
This work will preserve the Round Tower in Kells for future generations and ensure it remains an important landmark for the people of Kells and visitors to the town.
There has never been public access inside the Tower as the door is set off the ground and it was decided to keep the status quo for a number of reasons.
The entrance to the tower is in close proximity to the High Cross of Saint Patrick and Saint Columba, located in the graveyard in what is likely to be the crosses original position.
With any stair or ladder, the risk to the wall/embankment would need to be mitigated against. This may include the installation of a barrier or wall. A publicly accessible stair or ladder designed to current standards and regulations would require foundations e and substantial disturbance to archaeology in the immediate area. Grant of Consent would be necessary under National Monuments legislation for this to be undertaken.
Regarding roofing of the towwer, sketches of the tower from 1784 and 1865 show it in its current form. The purpose of this particular project was to conserve it as is, roofless and with an internal floor at the entrance level of the tower to facilitate OPW maintenance access to the tower. This is in line with the current best practice approach, which is that conservation interventions should be kept to a minimum to retain the authenticity of the monument.
There are currently three High Crosses and the base of another in the graveyard at Kells that are historically significant. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently working on taking the three Crosses into State care. Once in care, they will need condition surveys and further conservation for their long term protection.