Fort approach wall, Ebrington Barracks, Limavady Road, Londonderry

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Curving whinstone wall from Limavady Road to the 1841 entrance to the star fort of Ebrington Barracks. Located to north of Cunningham block (HB01/09/002 ). Pigs back coping to wall in store (painted) pitched coping to sides of stairs which rise from the road to the rear of Cunningham block. The wall curves in coursed whinstone from a height of 600mm near the former entrance at Limavady road flanking the main road dropping to the south side of the parade ground. It reaches a height of approximately 2 metres along the road and retains the higher ground to the south (where it never rises above 800mm) . At the western end is a small plinth in granite which until recently supported the painted mascot of a sailing ship- ‘Silve’. At the eastern end the
setting of the wall is enhanced by a fine mature tree.

Historical information

Wall indicated on the 1854 map and appears to have formed part of the original construction of the site. This retaining wall allowed road level to drop and similar height defensive star fort walls to be built on other side. Only a small section of the fort wall survives at this part of the base adjacent to the medical and dental centre (building number 71: HB01/09/002D). This is also topped by a pigs back sandstone coping. The steps are first indicated on the 1904 Ordnance Map but are likely to date from the 1875 expansion of the base southwards.

References-
Primary sources

Ordnance Survey Maps 1831, 1854, 1873, 1904, 1933, 1955
O’Hagan’s Map of Londonderry 1847
Derry Journal 6th April 1841 ‘Notice to Builders’

Secondary sources
History of Ebrington Barracks (Anonymous, circa 1970’s) EHS files
Site officer 2003.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Curving whinstone wall from Limavady Road to the 1841 entrance to the star fort of Ebrington Barracks.
The wall, which was probably part of the original construction of Ebrington Barracks continues to provide a graceful part of the overall architectural character of the site. It also significantly adds to the historic character of the base.

It is considered appropriate to protect this structure as a scheduled historic monument.