Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/252

236 236 ARCHITECTURE OF IRELAND. Pakt II. is richer and more elaborate, but at the same time of a style so closely- resembling that of Cormac's Chapel as to leave no doubt of their being nearly of the same age. The only remarkable difference is that the jambs of the doorway of the tower slope considerably inwards, while all those of the chapel are perfectly perpendicular. Another proof of their age is, that many of the doorways have Christian emblems carved in relief on their lintels, as in the example from the tower at Donoughmore (Woodcut No. 670), or that from Antrim (Woodcut No. 671), or on the round tower at Brechin in Scotland, — emblems which, from their position, and the fact of their being in relief, m 674. Tower, Keiieith, Cork. 675. Tower, Ardmore. cannot have been added, and must therefore be considered as original. When we find that the towers which have not these indications differ in no other respect from those that have, it is impossible to resist the conclusion that they too are of Christian origin ; the positive evidence of a few being sufficient to overbalance the mere absence of proof in a far greater number. Antiquaries have enumerated 118 of these monuments as still to be found in Ireland : of these some 20 are perfect, or nearly so, varying in height from about 60 ft. to 130 ft., which is the height of the imperfect one at Old Kilcullen. They all taper upwards towards the summit, and are generally crowned with a conical cap like that at Clonmacnoise (Woodcut No. 668), though not often constructed in the herring-bone masonry there shown.