Macamish Fort is one of several Napoleonic batteries built along the shores of Lough Swilly in county Donegal, to defend the north west of Ireland. It was part of a scheme to fortify Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle against French Invasion during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and was completed between 1812 and 1813. It was built on a rock outcrop overlooking the lough.[1] It comprises a Martello Tower mounting a single gun and battery mounting three guns. The fort was originally entered by a drawbridge.

Macamish Fort
County Donegal
Ireland
Macamish Fort in 2008
Macamish Fort is located in Ireland
Macamish Fort
Macamish Fort
Coordinates55°08′16″N 7°31′30″W / 55.13774°N 7.5250°W / 55.13774; -7.5250
Site information
OwnerPrivately owned
Open to
the public
No access
ConditionIntact
Site history
Built1812-1813
MaterialsStone
Concrete
Earth
Garrison information
GarrisonBritish Armed Forces

After the end of the Napoleonic Wars the defences were neglected and not updated. By the 1860s the Fort was obsolete and disarmed.

The fort remains substantially intact, and is now in use as a private residence.

References

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  1. ^ Stevenson, Ian, 1995. Two Irish Loughs, Redan: Journal of the Palmerston Forts Society, Gosport, pp11-28

Publications

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  • Paul M. Kerrigan (1995). Castles and fortifications in Ireland, 1485–1945. Collins Press. ISBN 1898256128.
  • Col K W Maurice-Jones, 1959. The History of Coast Artillery in the British Army, Royal Artillery Institution, London