Signposted across the road from the Kells Priory car park, 2.5km south of Kells, are a 29m-high round tower, an ancient church and a Celtic high cross, said to mark the grave of a 9th-century Irish high king, Niall Caille. He apparently drowned in the Kings River at Callan during the 840s while attempting to save a servant, and his body washed up near Kells. His final resting place lies outside the church grounds, as he wasn't a Christian.
Kilree Round Tower & High Cross
Counties Wexford, Waterford, Carlow & Kilkenny
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
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9.16 MILES
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26.24 MILES
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29.54 MILES
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16.05 MILES
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1.29 MILES
This fortified Augustinian monastery is the best sort of ruin, where you can amble around whenever you like, with no tour guides, set hours or fees. Most…
27.52 MILES
One of Ireland's most magnificent landscaped gardens, Altamont covers 16 hectares on the banks of the River Slaney. Carefully selected plantings are…
19.13 MILES
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Nearby Counties Wexford, Waterford, Carlow & Kilkenny attractions
1.29 MILES
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3.05 MILES
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4.3 MILES
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4.38 MILES
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4.4 MILES
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4.71 MILES
One of Ireland’s finest Cistercian ruins, Jerpoint Abbey was established in the 12th century, with the tower and cloister dating from the late 14th or…
6.81 MILES
About 3km north of Thomastown, east of the R448, is a small, ruined 13th-century church and Norman tower, signposted 50m off the road. The church contains…
7.55 MILES
Water from Ballykeefe's 80m-deep limestone aquifer is used to make whiskey, gin, vodka and poitín at this rural distillery, whose farm grows its own…
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