Rattoo Round Tower in Ardroe, Ireland

The only surviving complete round tower in County Kerry, dating from the 13th century. The ecclesiastical complex has an adjoining graveyard with the earliest addition dating from 1770. There is a door, located approximately 3m above the ground. This was a defensive feature that allowed the monks to retreat into the tower via a ladder, which they pulled up after them, separating them from their attackers. The purpose of building a tower was to utilise height to forsee an attack from afar. The tower has 4 windows at its highest level, facing north, south, east and west. Also visible on the north window on the first floor of the tower is a grotesque (gargoyle-like stone carving) of a humanoid with an exposed vulva. This is called 'Sheela-na-gig', and was intended to ward off demons and evil spirits.