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Show The Rouud Towers of Ireland. Hundreds of years ago, as far back as the sixth and not later than the twelfth century, it was the custom in Ireland and other Christian countries to build tall narrow towers close to many of the churches. It is not known for certain why they were erected,hut it Is supposed that, besides being used for religious purposes, they afforded shelter for priests and people in times of danger. After bells had been introduced intro-duced they were sometimes hung in these towers. The round towers were mostly from eighty to a hundred feet high, and usually crowned with a peaked roof. They were lighted by small windows, and the ascent from Btory to story was made by means of ladders. As a matter of safety, the door was placed at a considerable distance dis-tance from the ground. Above a hundred hun-dred of these towers, more or less perfect, per-fect, are still to be found in various parts of Ireland. |