Before the construction of the batteries in the late 19th century there was already a considerably military presence on the island.

Four Martello Towers existed on the island, these were built during the Napoleonic Wars. The four, all circular in shape and built of rubble masonry, were sited to defend the anchorage between the mainland and the small harbour of Lawrence Cove on Bere Island.

Each tower contained a large revolving cannon on it's roof, which could be pointed in any direction.

The Bere Island Martello Towers were reported as ready on 2nd February 1805 and were therefore probably the earliest Irish towers to be completed. Two of these Martello Towers were demolished in the construction of the later batteries however both the Ardagh and Cloughland Martello Towers still remain in good condition.

Bere Island Fortifications,

West Cork

Martello Towers

This report brought to you with much help from: Limerick Student

images copyright LS.

Documenting our Heritage

The restored tower is abandoned.. water drips from the roof, the floor is already rotting

A tight spiral stair descends to some rooms below..

and also leads us up to the roof platform.

Its a steep climb up to the Martello tower

The tower appears to have been restored through some EU grant.

Look Around

The canon could be pointed in any direction

The roof platform housed a canon which could be rotated to point in any direction - these Martello towers were in use from 1805 all across Ireland