Temple Finghin & Tower

The Midlands


Temple Finghin and its round tower are on the northern boundary of the Clonmacnoise monastic site, overlooking the River Shannon. The building dates from around 1160 and has some fine Romanesque carvings. The herringbone-patterned tower roof is the only one in Ireland that has never been altered.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Midlands attractions

1. Clonmacnoise

0.02 MILES

Gloriously placed overlooking the River Shannon, 7km northeast of Shannonbridge, Clonmacnoise is one of Ireland’s most important ancient monastic cities…

2. Temple Connor

0.02 MILES

Temple Connor originally dates from the 11th century but has many later features, including a quite modern roof; services are still held here. As it has…

3. Oratory

0.02 MILES

Church services are often held at this open-air area.

4. Temple Kelly

0.04 MILES

Only scant foundations remain of Temple Kelly, which dates from 1167.

5. Temple Ciaran

0.04 MILES

The small churches at Clonmacnoise are called temples, a derivation of the Irish word teampall (church). Tiny Temple Ciaran is reputed to be the burial…

7. Cathedral

0.05 MILES

The largest building at Clonmacnoise, the cathedral was originally built in AD 909, but was significantly altered and remodelled over the centuries. Its…

8. O'Rourke's Tower

0.05 MILES

Overlooking the River Shannon is the 19.3m-high O'Rourke's Tower. Lightning blasted the top off the tower in 1135, but the remaining structure was used…

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