Promontory fort - coastal

The National Monuments Service's description

Possible promontory fort described by Casey (2003, 13) as follows; ‘An early 19th century Martello tower [DU015-016----] was built on the rocky north-western point of Ireland’s Eye. The headland, irregular in plan, slopes steeply down to the point and at a point some 30m inland is a curving natural escarpment of rock outcrop with level berm and gentle rise visible immediately to the west, suggesting the presence of a fosse and wall or bank. This was visible from the air and the site has not yet been visited on the ground. Several vague lines running across the headland closer to the tower may indicate further defences. Not enough remains visible above ground to ascertain the nature of these features. Besides the tower, the ruins of a church, dedicated to the followers of St. Nessan stand in the interior of the island. The island is covered with a dense growth of fern and bracken.’

References

Casey, M. 2003 The coastal promontory forts of Ireland: interim report for the Heritage Council. Unpublished specialist report, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.