Dromiskin Monastery is located in the centre of Dromiskin village, halfway between the River Fane and River Glyde and 1.5 km (0.93 mi) west of the Irish Sea coast.
History
The monastery at Dromiskin is said to have been founded by Lugaid (d. 515/516), a follower of Saint Patrick and son of Óengus mac Nad Froích, King of Munster, in the 6th century; or by Rónán, son of Bearach in the 7th century. Rónán died in 664 of buide-connaill ("yellow plague," an epidemic illness in ancient Ireland).[citation needed]
The round tower was constructed in the 9th century. Dromiskin was burned by Vikings in 833 (Annals of Ulster). The Uí Chrítáin were hereditary clergy at Dromiskin and it was pillaged by Domnall ua Néill in 970.[3] The monastery was plundered by Irish in 908, Vikings in 978 and Irish again in 1043. It continued in operation until the 12th century.[4]
Buildings
Round tower
Round tower
Dromiskin Round Tower is relatively small at 15.25 m (50.0 ft) tall, with a conical cap and a two-orderRomanesque doorway 3.7 m (12 ft) above ground. The upper portion was rebuilt around the 12th century and used as a bell tower, and remained in use until the 19th century.
