Saint John's Tower (Castledermot)

Summary

Saint John's Tower, also called the Pigeon Tower,[1] is a tower in Castledermot, County Kildare, Ireland. A former bell tower, it is all that remains of a medieval leper hospital and is a National Monument.

Saint John's Tower
Túr Naomh Sheáin
Religion
AffiliationCatholic
Location
LocationSkenagun, Castledermot,
County Kildare, Ireland
Saint John's Tower (Castledermot) is located in Castledermot
Saint John's Tower (Castledermot)
Shown within Castledermot
Saint John's Tower (Castledermot) is located in Ireland
Saint John's Tower (Castledermot)
Saint John's Tower (Castledermot) (Ireland)
Geographic coordinates52°54′50″N 6°50′16″W / 52.914024°N 6.837788°W / 52.914024; -6.837788
Architecture
StyleNorman
FounderWalter de Riddlesford
Groundbreaking1210
Specifications
Height (max)10 m (30 ft)
MaterialsStone

Location edit

Saint John's Tower is located on the northern end of the Main Street, Castledermot.

History edit

The Priory and Hospital of St John the Baptist was founded by Walter de Riddlesford and his wife in 1210, just outside the Dublin gate of the walled town of Castledermot. It was occupied by the Crutched Friars (Fratres Cruciferi) until its dissolution in 1541.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "Castledermot". 4 June 2016.
  2. ^ A brief history of Castledermot, Irish Walled Towns Network