IRISH ARCHITFXTURE. Celtic Architecture. — The chief interest lies in the remains of the Celtic Architecture erected from the sixth century to the English Conquest in ii6g. The early Churches were extremely small, and appear to have been used principally as oratories, where the priest could officiate, and to which a small square chancel was attached. The naves were covered with barrel vaults, over which was a hollow chamber called an " overcroft," covered by a steep pitched roof, generally of stone, as at Cormac's Chapel, Cashel (a.d. 1127-1134) (No. 152), probably the finest example in Ireland, S. Kevin's Kitchen, Glendalough, and other places. Windows appear to have been unglazed. The Monasteries form another class of building, and the Rev. Prof. Stokes refers to a group of seven small churches found at Inchleraun, similar to some in Asia Minor and elsewhere. The monastic cells at the Skellings are peculiar, being of beehive form, with domed stone roofs in horizontal courses, as in the early work in Greece at Mycenae (No. 15) and elsewhere. The Round Toivers generally detached and placed near the Church, have been a subject of much controversy, but the generally accepted view, originated by Mr. George Petrie, is that they were used as treasure houses, refuges, bell towers, and for displaying lamps at night time, or were probably erected as symbols of power. They taper slightly towards the summit and are crowned with either a conical (No. 152 g) or battlemented covering (No. 152 j). The entrance doorway was several feet from the ground. Mediaeval Architecture. — Within the English domain the influence of Continental art was felt during the Middle Ages, but few monuments of importance were erected. The Cathedrals of Dublin (No. 120 a), Kildare and Cashel, were the most important, but the absence of parish churches is remarkable. The Monas- teries and Friaries (principally Franciscan) are small, usually having a nave and choir, probably some time divided by a wooden screen, a transept and southern aisle, cloisters, and a tower, which was added in the fifteenth century. The best known are those at Cashel, Kilconnel, and Muckross. Owing to the disturbances in Elizabethan times there is nc domestic architecture of note, but the earlier castles built by the Chieftains are interesting. REFERENCE BOOKS. Diinraven (Earl of). — "Notes on Irish Architecture." 1S75-1877. Hill (A.). — " Monographs on Ardfert Cathedral, Co. Kerry." Petrie (G.). — " Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland." 8vo. 1845. Stokes(M.). — " Early Christian Architecture in Ireland." 8vo. 1878.
