Eastern Fortifications of Star Fort, Ebrington Barricks, Limavady Road, Londonderry BT47 6HH

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Aligning north south, the original rear fortifications of Ebrington Barracks made from whinstone (local schist) which survive for ¾ of their original length and are capped for most of this by a canted concrete coping. The fortifications consist of a truncated bastion to south west a short striaght section of wall and central bastion. The original north eastern bastion is now gone above ground level. The surviving wall appears to have been reduced in height but closer inspection reveals that the land to the east has been raised substantially in its level. This section including any undergaround remains is part a scheduled monument encompasing the whole star fort.

At the eastern side of the wall, average height is now around 1.3m, but to the other side, height is much greater in some cases or is obscured by a grass banking. Average height drop from the top of the wall to road level inside to the west is 6 metres. The wall is truncated to the south as the main road curves west to get to the Limavady Road exit. It is finished off in carefully cut sandstone quoins. The line of the south west bastion can be clearly discerned as the wall cranks around northwards. No blocked up gun loops etc can be identified as the grass bank starts one metre below the top of the wall. Opposite the Officers’ Mess, an opening with painted stone gatepost with steps beyond descends to the rear of the parade ground. To the north, the central bastion remains, the wall steps down along its length. At its end, rather than returning westwards, it has been rebuilt eastwards returning north to a set of steps flanked by rendered gate post opposite barrack Number 81. This is the end of this section of wall. The
setting of the wall is complimented by trees and planting to the eastern side.

Historical information

Remains of the eastern section of the original star fort boundary wall of Ebrington Barracks. Indicated on the 1854 Ordnance Survey as a south east bastion, a central bastion and a north east bastion with a road running to the east outside the wall and connecting to Limavady Road. One building built into the wall near the north east bastion is labelled ‘stables’. On the 1904 map, this building and the adjacent bastion are gone and the boundary, as currently found, is gone. The reason for the infilling of land behind the wall is not clear. It may be to ease communication to the newly extended site or to enhance the prominence of the new buildings to the city. The new Officer’s Mess has certainly become an important part of the architectural composition as a result.

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 officer2003.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Aligning north south, the original rear fortifications of Ebrington Barracks made from whinstone (local schist) which survive for ¾ of their original length and are capped for most of this by a canted concrete coping.

Important historical remains of the original ‘star fort’ defences of Ebrington Barracks. Of architectural interest for their appearance and relationship to the rendered buildings and parade ground behind. The plan, though an adaptation of a standard type for the period, was the only star fort from the mid nineteenth century constructed in Northern Ireland and as a late development in military fort planning it is of interest.

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