Martello tower

The National Monuments Service's description

Drumanagh Point Martello Tower No. 9 (Kerrigan 1995, 174) stands in the E quadrant of a coastal promontory fort (DU008-006001-). It was a standard size martello tower with one 24-pounder gun (McEnery 2006, 83). According to Kerrigan (1995, 168) construction of the Dublin area Martello Towers and their batteries commenced in 1804 under the supervision of Colonel Benjamin Fisher of the Royal Engineers and by December 1805 all towers were armed and complete. Kerrigan (ibid.) recorded that; 'Twelve towers were constructed north of Dublin: each tower mounted one 24-pounder, apart from the tower on Ireland's Eye with two 24-pounders. No batteries were constructed with these towers'. Located in a field of pasture at the E end of a promontory fort (DU008-006001-). This is a squat cylindrical tower built of masonry, which has been rendered. Traces of a sunken roadway lead from the S end of the defences of the promontory fort to the entrance of the martello tower. The entrance is on the west side and is positioned above ground level. It is defended by machicolation carried on corbels. The interior is lit by small square opes. A latrine stands east of the tower (Kerrigan 1996, 175). In 1821 Drumanagh tower was in use by the Preventive Water Guard to combat smuggling. It was transferred to the War Department in 1855 when it had 12 rank and file troops occupying the tower in 1857. It was disarmed by 1874. In 1908, the War Department sold the tower to General Palmer of Kenure Park, Rush for £50 (Bolton et al. 2012, 152).
Drumanagh Martello Tower (NIAH Reg. No. 11318004) described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) as a; 'Martello tower, built 1804-6, on a circular plan with tapered profile, having machicolation supported by brackets over former entrance door. ROOF: Corbelled stone with stone coping to parapet. WALLS: Lime render over limestone rubble. OPENINGS: Square headed former entrance door opening with limestone rubble reveals and soffit; door no longer remains' (https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/11318004/drumanagh-martello-tower-drumanagh-rush-dublin). 3D model of Drumanagh Martello Tower accessible at https://skfb.ly/6Cnvw

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 13/1977).

See attached plans of Drumanagh Martello Tower No. 9 dated 1/1/1862 courtesy of the Irish Military Archives - Archival Reference Code: IE/MA/MPD/ad134122-002

Photo © Jonjobaker https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:County_Dublin_-_Drumanagh_Martello_Tower_-_20190609174047.jpg

DU008-006003-_05 Martello Tower Drumanagh Patrick Healy Collection, https://hdl.handle.net/10599/1493, © South Dublin Libraries, Local Studies Collection, County Library, Town Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Compiled by: Geraldine Stout

Updated by: Christine Baker

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 24 January 2023

References

McEnery, J.H. 2006 Fortress Island. Wordwell Books. Wicklow.

Bolton, J., Carey, T., Goodbody, R., and Clabby, G. 2012 The Martello Towers of Dublin. Dublin. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Fingal County Council.

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