This 65 ft round tower was “erected in the year 1785 by George, Earl of Tyrone, to his beloved son, his niece and friend”.
Marcus, the eldest son of 1st Marquess of Waterford was killed while jumping his horse over courtyard paling. He was only twelve. It is difficult to tell who was the niece, since George De La Poer Beresford was the eldest of fifteen children. The friend was Marcus’ French tutor Charles Polier de Bottens who died shortly after the tragic accident.
Over the years, there were people who came to this tower at their darkest moments. It is a mile long walk from the main road. Wish they had turned back.
I pass the entrance to the Curraghmore estate and drive up the hill. Gorgeous pheasant steps out of the grass and walks right in front of my car. I am trying to match the speed of the bird to take pictures.
I park and start walking through the conifer forest. The path is quite muddy – timber felling is in progress and the trucks have damaged the road. I turn around the corner. Here used to be Clonegam school, but it was burned down during the Civil War.
The Tower is inspired by the medieval Irish round tower. They say that the walls are about seven feet thick which I cannot confirm. I would rather say that the distance between the walls is about 10 feet. It was intended to build it 120 feet high, but it was left unfinished at the height of 70 feet.
Hanging around the tower I have a chat with a young man who used to climb to the roof and read books in solitude. Armed with some tips I start climbing the 92 step spiral stairway.
The door offers some light but further up there is a dark stretch until I reach the first window.
It is how I climb – from window to window.
Finally I see the sky. On the top there is a flat roof with a hole in the middle and a low parapet with some stones missing. I don’t dare to climb to the roof. The day is very windy so I just stay on the steps and look around.
I have found a fantastic drone shot by Jamie Malone. It is what the roof looks like.
The view from the Tower is stunning. I see the Curraghmore House and River Suir.
This is Croughaun Hill and Comeragh Mountains.
It is the time to climb down when I realise that it is possible that someone is making their way up right now, oblivious to me being there. I don’t like the thought, but I cannot stay here forever. I start my descent and finally reach the door and quickly get out.
There is a loop walk, but I take the same road because I have spotted some photogenic timber. Next time I will visit Curraghmore House and a special historical object that I want to share with you.
Here are three links to my previous blogs about Clonegam and the De la Poer family that I wrote last year.
https://inesemjphotography.com/2016/10/09/abbeys-and-churches/
https://inesemjphotography.com/2016/10/22/lady-florence-and-clonegam-church/
https://inesemjphotography.com/2016/10/27/circumstance-observes-no-preference/
Have a wonderful weekend!
Making memories 
Amazing pictures of an amazing countryside.
It sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day.
Interesting place starting from its entrance to the tower. I am not sure what the real place and time feel like but from the pictures the place look a bit isolated and a bit fearful of many things 🙂 I think you had the right reaction when you felt someone is coming.
Picture from the drone is a great. It is such a perfect shot straight down. The timber piled up along side pictures are really nice. You have good photogenic eyes.
Intriguing post with your usual excellent photography. Well done for catching the pheasant
A lovely view from up there!
This is stunning dear Inese. I loved all images in this series. We don’t have such stone architecture here, so I love getting a glimpse through your lens! The pheasant is also very handsome 🙂
Nice set of images. We visited one of those tall, skinny towers about 20 years ago when we first visited Ireland. It’s really rather interesting. Cheers!
Inese, I loved every second of this walk with you, even the sceary-ir seconds xx
Wow, the inside of the tower. Brrrr. Great pix!
Gorgeous photos. Thanks for the amazing tour. I’m envious.
Really great tower. Nice to have a pheasant jump out in front of you.
Stunning pictures and I love the pheasant Inese. I was puzzled by the hole that appeared to be in the sill by the first window? It made it appear the walls are hollow to me.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
A very interesting place Inese, thank you for that atmospheric walk.
The climb is worth the spectacular view! Another wonderful journey, Inese.
The place feels sad in the photos, Inese. I wonder if it felt that way when you were there. Beautiful photos nevertheless. And gorgeous countryside. ❤
Nice photos! The pheasant was nostalgic for me, since we had many on our farm in Iowa, when I was young!
Very neat and scary at the same time. An excellent visit! Lol… photogenic timber. Only you could say that.
I hope you get a moment to check out my graffiti blog. The most recent post is a thank you to you for your Puffin contribution on Kids’ Month. I did a special thank you post to each person.
Right now, I am over at my Art Gowns blog. I was challenged to model a graffiti gown…….. and did it. Quite scary, but not as scary as the tower stairs.
I look forward to the special historic object!
Inese, my head spins and my knees go wobbly at the thought of climbing 92 spiral steps. Thanks for sharing the view. You’ll find me below on your return back 🙂
‘Hanging around the tower I have a chat with a young man who used to climb to the roof and read books in solitude’. That could be me, except it wasn’t. One day maybe. It’s the sort of thing I do.
Oh my goodness Inese – I’m glad you didn’t climb onto that roof. As you say, the views you saw are stunning from the tower….. .