Secrets in the Stones: St Michael's Tower

At Dublinia, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by history. Not only in the knowledge interpreted through our exhibitions, but the very walls in which we are held reveal their own unique stories. A fascinating feature of our site, with its own dedicated exhibition, is St Michael’s Tower. The stone walls speak volumes, telling tales of the tower’s past, that is, if you know where to look…

St Michael’s Tower was once part of a small medieval parish church dedicated to St Michael the Archangel. The church was initially a small wooden chapel with the bell tower being added towards the end of the medieval period. Having had three definitive stages in its creation between 1676 and 1871, the tower now stands as a richly layered construction of stonework with much of what remains to this day dating back over 300 years.

Now newly renovated, the tower is open to the public and conveys some spectacular views of the city. So to inspire you during your 96 step climb up to the tower’s heights, here are some top tips for what revealing features to spot in St Michael’s Tower:

• Medieval Stones: Much of what can be seen today, including blocked-up windows, dates back to 1697. The large cut stones visible on the entrance level are actually medieval.
  
  
• Financial Crisis: The protruding beam supports that can be seen in the upper level of the tower mark a financial crisis that was experienced during the tower’s 17^th century build. The tower actually remained unfinished for 20 years until enough money was raised to complete it.
  
  
• Normandy Stone: The tower’s architect in the 1870’s, George Street, chose to use an unfortunate material from Normandy known as caen stone during his wave of construction at the tower. The cream coloured stone was too soft for the wilds of the Irish climate and exposure caused it to decay. The material eventually had to be dismantled on the outside of the tower, but it remains in the interior and can still be seen today around the windows.
  
  
• Gothic Windows: The current gothic style windows were also installed by George Street in 1871.
  
  
• Hidden Entrance: A blocked up doorway within the tower hides the bell ringer’s original entrance. Behind it is a small chamber attached to a mini-tower which survives today.
  
  
• Mason’s Marks? We know that stone masons working on Christ Church Cathedral left personal identification marks on the stones as they worked, but similar marks are still yet to be discovered in St Michael’s tower…

Despite all of its mixed-fortunes, today we can say that St Michael’s Tower is now experiencing the longest period in its history that it has remained standing without need for refurbishment. This beautiful structure is a must-see!