The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans
The Round Towers of Ireland is Henry O'Brien's attempt to explain the tall stone towers found beside Irish churches as something far older than Christianity. Written for a Royal Irish Academy prize competition and first published in 1834, it argues that the towers were built by the Tuath-De-Danaans as temples of an Eastern fire and fertility cult brought from Persia and India, and it marshals etymology, scripture, classical authors and comparative religion in support. Scholars of the time rejected the thesis, and the accepted view that the towers are medieval bell towers has not changed since. The book survives as a monument of antiquarian imagination, learned, combative and unlike anything else. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans
The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans by Henry O'Brien can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans online?
Yes. The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans in the public domain?
Yes. The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans by Henry O'Brien is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans?
About 11 h 55 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans?
The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans by Henry O'Brien is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
