Beginning at the car park at Tower hill this looped walk takes you through the Portlaw woods. This walk is predominantly a woodland walk but does take in a short road section. Having reached the furthest point of the loop you turn back into the woods and pass the De La Poer Tower, built in 1785 by the first Marquis of Waterford, George De La Poer Beresford Earl of Tyrone, in memory of his son who died in a horse riding accident. The tower is a local landmark and stretches 70 feet high. Pass the tower and follow the woodland path back to the car park.Freestanding single-bay four-stage monument, dated 1783, in form of tapered Irish 'round tower' on a circular plan. Flat stone roof not visible behind parapet. Coursed squared rubble stone walls with cut-stone date stone/plaques, and rubble stone parapet. Square-headed window openings with squared rubble stone flush sills and lintels, and no fittings. Round-headed door opening with squared rubble stone step, squared rubble stone surround, iron-sheeted door, and louvered overpanel. Interior with cut-stone spiral staircase. Set back from road on an elevated site overlooking Curraghmore Demesne with mature forest to site.A fine monument of national importance, built by George De La Poer Beresford, Earl of Tyrone (1735 - 1800), forming an imposing landmark in the locality. Inspired by the medieval Irish round tower, the monument alludes to the contemporary taste for indigenous architectural styles. The construction of the tower is particularly important, large courses of squared rubble masonry forming walls up to seven feet thick. The spiral staircase to the interior is also of some technical merit. www.buildingsofireland.ie De Le Poer Tower portlaw waterford ireland
