Zoomorphic heads on roof timbers may have been painted. Note:
Irish buildings were designed in a conservative style and were very
small compared to contemporary European churches. This was probably a result of the rural social structure and the style of monasticism practised here.
type, have small flat-headed doorways and small windows with arches cut from a single stone, in the style of the earliest churches.
Round Towers
From early in the 10th century AD, round towers became part of the range of buildings found in Irish monasteries. An entry in the Annals of the Four Masters for the year 960 is the first written reference to a round tower. It notes that ‘the Belfry at Slane’ was plundered by Vikings from Dublin.
Figure 25.7 (below) An aerial view of Clonmacnoise. The round tower and the Cathedral can be seen on the left. The monastery covered a much wider area in the 10th century.
Round tower
Cross of the Scriptures
Cathedral
Walls may have been lime plastered or limewashed, would have appeared white
Doorway with inclined jambs and simple lintel
Figure 25.8 (above) A conjectural reconstruction of the cathedral at Clonmacnoise.
Decorated ridge board
Decorative shingles
Antae – extensions of the side walls supporting the roof timbers
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NEW APPRECIATING ART IRELAND AND ITS PLACE IN THE WIDER WORLD
