Taghadoe | |
Native Name: | Tigh Tua |
Native Name Lang: | ga |
Other Names: | Teghto, Tagheto, Taughtoo |
Established: | 6th century |
Disestablished: | 17th century |
Mother: | Clonmacnoise |
Dedication: | Tua (Ultan the Silent) |
Diocese: | Dublin |
Abbess: | --> |
Functional Status: | Abandoned |
Heritage Designation: | National Monument |
Style: | Celtic monastic |
Location: | County Kildare, Ireland (3 km SSW of Maynooth) |
Map Type: | Ireland |
Coordinates: | 53.3533°N -6.6131°W |
Public Access: | yes |
Taghadoe in County Kildare in Ireland is the site of an ancient monastic settlement and round tower. The site includes a graveyard and the ruins of a 19th-century church. It is situated 5 km from Maynooth, off the Straffan Road. The name is derived from Teach Tua or 'House of Tua' in Irish, Saint Tua (Ultan the Silent)[1] the abbot of Clonmacnoise, was responsible for founding the monastic settlement here. The site dates back to the 6th century.[2] The round tower was used for about 1000 years, but was left in ruins by the 17th century.[3] Most of the burials in the graveyard were in the 17th and 18th century and it was used by Roman Catholics.A John Dillon of Carton had bequeathed £1,000 for the building of a church on the site; the Duke of Leinster was the executor of his will.
The church which was constructed on the site in 1831 for the Church of Ireland by a donation from the Board of First Fruits of £830.[4] This church was only active for 40 years and, while derelict, its walls are quite intact.
The tower was declared a national monument in 1886, and the site is in the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW).