Fortification

The National Monuments Service's description

Occupying high ground and steeply sloping E side of outer entrance to Cork harbour; directly opposite is Camden Fort (CO099-024---). Fortification, 'begun some time after 1552' (Gowen 1979, 232), possibly 'earliest bastioned fort in Ireland' (Kerrigan 1980, 13). Shown in detail on Lythe's map of 1571 (ibid., where date misprinted 1751; Gowen ibid., 233 pl. 11) as unfinished 'square fort, completed on three sides with three bastions...also a gun battery on the shore line' (Gowen ibid., 232), and mistakenly labelled 'Corkbegge' (see CO088-030---). Clearly shown on map of c. 1625 as 'rectangular trace with three flankers' (Hayes-McCoy 1964, 35) and enigmatically labelled 'King John his fort'- the exact origin of name unclear (ibid.). Phillips's 1685 map (Gowen ibid, 231) shows this fort with its shoreline battery but also, a short distance to S, 'a castle with earthen outworks, having one bastion-shaped projection towards the east' (ibid., 232). This latter fort, known as 'Prince Rupert's Tower' (CO100-048----), 'obviously originated in the civil war years of the mid seventeenth century' (O Murchadha 1990, 4). These works were superceded c. 1798 by construction of Carlisle Fort. Plan on 1842 OS 6-inch map shows 'a bastion facing eastwards flanked on each side by a length of rampart at the ends of which were demi-bastions', with a 'rock-cut moat on the landward side' (Kerrigan 1978, 146), which together with the weaker seaward defences, with semicircular projection to W, enclose a diamond shape; in plan this work closely mirrors 'King John's Fort'. Behind bastion 'a barrack for several officers, and 155 artillery men' (Windele 1844, 197), 1804 report lists 53 pieces of ordnance here (Kerrigan ibid.) though by 1822 garrison reduced to 'a master gunner, and six men only' (Windele ibid). Down the seaward slope to W and S, 'detached gun emplacements in an irregular layout follow the contours of the hillside' (Kerrigan, ibid). To S of bastioned fort, but within extent of defences, 1842 OS 6-inch map shows small square structure named 'Rupert's tower'- in approximate position of 'Prince Rupert's Tower' of earlier maps (see above). Today most of these features survive, including the barrack buildings, though not apparently 'Rupert's tower'. About 1870 (ibid., 147) extensive work took place when wide, deep ditch constructed to enclose all existing works. This follows irregular zig-zag plan, with caponiers; new barrack buildings and pier also constructed at this time; some of this work includes early use of mass concrete (pers. comm. J.R.E. Hamilton-Baillie). Handed over to Irish government in 1938 and renamed Dúnan Dáibhisigh (Davis Fort), now owned by Department of Defence and used as army training camp.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009