Fergusson, James: The illustrated handbook of architecture: being a concise and popular account of the different styles of architecture preveiling in all ages and all countries (London, 1859)

Chap. IV.

EOUND TOWERS.

92 £

instance, and, I believe, one only, tbe base of the tower is octagonal
(woodcnt No. 753). This is fonnd at Keneith, connty Cork.1

One of the most beantifnl and most perfect is that of Ardmore
(woodcut No. 754). It is of beantiful ashlar masonry throughout, and

753. Tower, Keneith, Cork.

754. Tower, Ardmore.

is divided externally into 4 stories by string-conrses, which do not,
however, mark the position of the floors inside. All its mouldings
and details lead to the presumption that it is nearly coeval with Cor-
mac’s Chapel, Cashel, and that consequently it must belong to the
12th century. It stands within the precincts of the rude old church
mentioned above, and when explored
not long ago the skeletons of two
persons were found below its founda-
tions, laid in suck a manner as to
lead to the inevitable conclusion that
it was a place of Christian burial be-
fore the foundations of the tower were
laid.

Generally the floors that divide
the tower into stories are of wood, but
sometimes they are of masonry, con-
structed as that shown (woodcut No.

755) from Keneith tower. They are always approached by ladders
leading from one story to the next.

Compare this with the contemporary tower at Gazni, woodcut No. 334.