Publisher's Synopsis
The Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland: An Essay on the Origins of Round Towers in Ireland is a book written by George Petrie. The book is a comprehensive study of the religious architecture of Ireland, with a particular focus on the round towers that are found throughout the country. The author explores the origins of these towers, which were built during the early Christian period, and examines their purpose and significance in the context of Irish history and culture.The book is divided into several chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of Irish ecclesiastical architecture. The first chapter provides an overview of the history of Christianity in Ireland and the development of church architecture in the country. The second chapter delves into the origins of the round towers, examining their construction, function, and symbolism. The third chapter explores the various types of round towers found in Ireland and their distribution across the country.Throughout the book, Petrie provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of the various churches, monasteries, and other religious buildings that make up the Irish ecclesiastical landscape. He also discusses the various influences that shaped Irish religious architecture, including the Romanesque and Gothic styles.Overall, The Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland: An Essay on the Origins of Round Towers in Ireland is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and culture of Ireland. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the country's religious past and the unique architectural legacy that has been left behind.1845. Petrie may be regarded as the first scientific investigator of Irish archaeology, his contributions to which are also in themselves of much importance. He received a gold medal from the RIA for his famous Essay on the Round Towers of Ireland, which is included in this edition. Many theories had previously been advanced about the purpose of the round towers, which were variously described as Phoenician fire-temples, minarets, phallic symbols, and tombs; in his closely argued and well-documented essay Petrie showed that they were ecclesiastical buildings, erected for use as belfries, watchtowers, and keeps, and his findings won general acceptance.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
