Battery

The National Monuments Service's description

One of a number of defensive batteries built along the Shannon estuary in the early 19th century, this example at Kilkerin Point is situated directly across from another at Tarbert Island (KE003-002----). Between them they commanded the river with cross-fire from their guns (Kerrigan 1995, 208). A D-shaped area (ext. dims. 108m N-S; 70m E-W) (see Kerrigan 1995, 209, Fig. 108) surrounded by a drystone moat (Wth 4-5m; D 3-4m) and a rampart (Wth 6-9m) with a blockhouse (18m N-S; 11.6m E-W) at E and six gun placements along the curved W side facing out into the estuary. The walls of the blockhouse are battered and five musket loops at each end defended the moat. On the upper level 5 musket loops covered the interior of the battery with the entrance door at one end of that façade. The doorway was recessed to accommodate the drawbridge when raised. The lower level of the blockhouse was divided into rooms for storage and a magazine. The upper floor provided accommodation with a large window at each end of the building. A narrow staircase in the thickness of the wall gives access to the gun platforms above. A small semi-basement vaulted structure lies in the interior and was noted on plans as a ‘shell-filling room’. The land at Kilkerrin was acquired by the government in March 1811 and the battery was constructed soon after that date. Other batteries along the estuary on the Clare side include Kilcredaun (CL072-027002-) on the N side of the mouth of the Shannon, Doonaha (CL066-037001-) some three miles NE of Kilcredaun, and the S tip of Scattery Island (CL067-024015-) in the middle of the estuary. On the S side of the estuary batteries were built at Carrig Island (KE002-004----), Tarbert (KE003-002----), Foynes (LI010-001----) and at Beagh Castle (LI003-002006-). (Kerrigan 1995, 208-211)

The following images have been uploaded:
CL068-046----_01.jpg View from the gun emplacement on top of the blockhouse showing the interior of the battery with the vaulted structure in the centre. Tarbert is visible across the estuary in the background.
CL068-046----_02.jpg The N face of the blockhouse from the moat. The gate piers are visible on the right.
CL068-046----_03.jpg The blockhouse from WNW showing the gateway to the left.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 18 January 2022

References

Kerrigan P.M. 1995 Castles and fortifications in Ireland 1485-1945. Cork. The Collins Press.