This isn't actually a round tower, it's a folly built in 1843 by Father Matt Horgan, parish priest of Blarney at that time. He was also an antiquarian and scholar. He discovered the key to the Ogham alphabet which enabled archaeologists to decipher the inscriptions on the numerous Ogham stones in the country. He also designed and built some schools and some of the churches in Ireland. Father Horgan died in 1849 and is buried in the transept of this church
The round tower at Waterloo stands to the east of St. Mary's church and its purpose was to be the belfry of the church.
It's roofless with traces of some crenellations. The date of building is engraved in the masonry high in the south wall. A round-headed Romanesque style doorway is in the west (280°) side, with orders decorated with spiral bosses, chevrons and stepped ornaments. Putlog holes are visible around the circumference at half height. Windows are both squared and pointed arch.
The tower tapers to the top following a barrel shape curve.
The gardens south of the church are wonderful!
The church and the round tower are close to the historic Putland's Bridge, built in 1815.
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