Roscrea Round Tower dating from 11th century forms part of St Cronan’s monastic site from the 7th century which is now divided by the main road. The tower stands 20 metres high and its circumference is approx. 15 metres. The doorway to the tower is 2.34 metres above ground level. The earliest record of the tower states that it was stuck by lightening in 1131.
On the opposite side of the road is the west gable of St. Cronan’s 12th century romanesque church and behind the tower is the Black Mills which is a visitor centre that houses St. Cronan’s High Cross. The cross consists of two fragments of a 12th century cross mounted together and stands at a height of 3 metres.
St. Cronan’s High Cross was originally decorated with scriptural panels but due to weathering the panels are almost impossible to identify now. Experts surmise that they originally showed scenes from a crucifixion, a figure holding a crozier who may represent St. Cronan and the bottom panel of the cross bears figures beside a tree representing Adam and Eve and the Fall of Man. The High Cross was restored and moved into the Black Mills visitor centre in 2004 and a replica cross now stands in the original position just across the road in the grounds of St. Cronan’s Church.
