Hiberno-Romanesque architecture
Killeshin Church is located off the main Carlow-Castlecomer road, adjacent to
Killeshin village itself. The church at Killeshin is largely from the 12th century,
although some parts show evidence of later rebuilding, including a late Gothic
east window The ancient monastery was destroyed in the 11th century and all
that remains is a beautifully carved 12th-century doorway: one of the finest
examples of hiberno-Romanesque architecture in Ireland.
No trace remains of the 105 ft round tower believed to have once been the
tallest in Ireland which stood next to the monastery, it was demolished by an
18th-century landowner who was afraid that the tower could collapse and injure
his cattle. It is said that ten counties can be seen from the hill above
Killeshin.
