The tower is unique in that two of its faces are of white
limestone and two are of res sandstone. The limestone faces South and West to
the limestone country while the sandstone faces North and East to the sandstone
country Tradition has it that the limestone came from the ruins of Shandon
Castle and the limestone from the Franciscan Abbey on the north Mall.
A local rhyme describes it as:
. 'Party-coloured, like its people,
Red and white stands Shandon Steeple'
The McOsterich family were involved with the design and erection of this tower and to this day a special privilege is afforded them. Whenever a member of the family marries, anywhere in the world, the bells ring out in their honour.
A local rhyme describes it as:
. 'Party-coloured, like its people,
Red and white stands Shandon Steeple'
The McOsterich family were involved with the design and erection of this tower and to this day a special privilege is afforded them. Whenever a member of the family marries, anywhere in the world, the bells ring out in their honour.
The walls of the Tower at the base are 7 feet thick and the
height to the viewing balcony is 120 feet, add to this another 50 feet for our
pepper pot.
