Martello tower

The National Monuments Service's description

Sutton Martello Tower No. 1 (Kerrigan 1995, 174). 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., 174) 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'. This martello tower was located in an impressive position on the SW side of Howth Head, overlooking Dublin Bay. This tower protected Sutton Creek in the mudflats on the north side of Dublin Bay (Kerrigan 1995, 174; Bolton et al 2012,147). The masonry has been rendered. Doorway is in the N and is defended by machicolation. The parapet level is marked by a string course. The windows are on two levels. They are rectangular with decorative plasterwork. This martello tower has been converted to a private residence.
Tower described by Kerrigan (1995, 174) as; 'Tower no. 1, on the south-west side of the Howth promontory, protected Sutton Creek in the mudflats of the north side of Dublin Bay. The tower survives in poor condition, empty and derelict, having previously been converted into a residence'.
Martello Tower described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) as a; 'Martello tower, c.1805, granite rubble walls, on a circular plan with tapered profile, having machicolation supported by brackets over entrance door. Raised extension to roof, c.1990' (NIAH Reg. No. 11366017; https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/11366017/sutton-creek-martello-tower-strand-road-sutton-south-sutton)

See attached plans of Sutton Martello Tower No. 1 courtesy of the Irish Military Archives - Archival Reference Code: IE/MA/MPD/ad134126-001 & IE/MA/MPD/ad134126-002

See attached Taylor's 1816 Map showing the location of the Martello Tower.

Taylor, J. 1816 Taylor's map of the environs of Dublin: extending 10 to 14 miles from the castle, by actual survey, on a scale of 2 inches to one mile.

Photo © https://martellotowersutton.com/history/#iLightbox[ea770eba4944951348b]/0

Compiled by: Geraldine Stout

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 23 January 2023

References

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.

Kerrigan, P.M. 1974a The defences of Ireland 1793-1815: part 3—The signal towers. An Cosantóir, 225-7.