341:
52:
71:
1252:
443:
78:
305:, is at a strategic position overlooking the entrance to Cork Harbour – one of the world's largest natural harbours, and historically of defensive and naval importance to Ireland and the region. One of the earliest documented fortifications at this point was built prior to 1607, and came to be known as "Prince Rupert's Tower" (for
281:. Though used as a fortification from the early 17th century, the current structures of the 74-acre site date primarily from the 1860s. Originally named Fort Carlisle and operated by the
1001:
488:
and flanking batteries defended the approaches. The dry-moat is 30 feet (9.1 m) deep and 40 feet (12 m) wide at points, and was originally crossed by a
361:
1361:
609:
664:
415:
movement. (Similarly, "Fort
Westmoreland" on Spike Island was renamed "Fort Mitchel", and "Fort Camden" near Crosshaven was renamed "Fort Meagher").
1523:
101:
1499:
465:
The features of the fort date primarily to developments in the 19th century, when – at peak – the fort had upwards of 20 guns.
1103:
913:
Fort
Carlisle consists of 2 rooms fitted up to receive 84 convicts the premises termed the 'French Prison' might be converted into rooms
518:
Number 1 battery – As with several of the fort's other batteries, this dates from the
Victorian reconstruction. Originally it had
1528:
1424:
1005:
1518:
329:(1690). Additional construction works were undertaken from the 1790s, and some of these tunnels and structures were used during the
879:
503:
were trained on the harbour from eight gun emplacements. These batteries were built with a number of underground shelters, vaulted
322:
957:
1168:
721:
353:
573:
Other features of the fort include a military cemetery, a waterfront pier for sea-borne access, and a number of over-ground
507:, and linked in places by bunkered tunnels. Though changed over time, the batteries were originally constructed to include:
1328:
589:
1049:
1128:
395:– although a number of graves in the fort's military cemetery date from this period. Following the war, under the
340:
789:
773:
310:
258:
136:
372:(Crosshaven), and Fort Carlisle. During the 1860s Fort Carlisle was therefore redeveloped along the lines of other "
364:
gave renewed consideration to the strategic importance of the harbour, and proposed enhancements to the defences at
70:
387:", and Fort Davis was used to complement the defences of Fort Camden on the opposite side of the harbour entrance.
426:
operated from the fort. By the mid- to late-20th century the CDA was merged into other artillery regiments of the
431:
290:
159:
648:
527:
408:
376:" in the region. Some of this development took advantage of 19th century advancements in the use of concrete.
979:
1251:
567:
344:
Fort Davis (then called Fort
Carlisle) as pictured in the late 19th century from the companion defences at
1382:
302:
51:
1161:
560:
550:
357:
306:
1455:
1291:
451:
423:
392:
365:
266:
511:
Main emplacement – Dating from the
Napoleonic era, this is triangular in layout with one full
434:
and is used by the Irish Army for exercises, ceremonial "gun salutes" and other training purposes.
403:, including Fort Carlisle, were handed-over to the Irish authorities in 1938. The fort was renamed
388:
391:
units were stationed in the fort at this time. The fort did not see significant action during the
1236:
419:
496:
landward defences included three musketry caponiers, and a simple terreplein with movable guns.
1440:
1323:
1241:
1226:
556:
538:
400:
262:
214:
37:
693:
546:
Number 4 battery – Casemated for four RML 10 inch guns (later converted to an oil store)
1387:
1154:
314:
1027:
856:
790:"British Library – Gallery – 'A View of the old Castle of Cork in Cork Harbour'"
1392:
1081:
504:
430:, and the fort primarily used as a training site. The site remains in the ownership of the
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274:
234:
230:
8:
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1281:
743:
455:
369:
345:
318:
270:
883:
580:
Evidence of torpedo defences were discovered at the fort during clearing works in 2015.
980:"British Soldiers killed Ireland 1919–21 – Major Geoffry Lee Compton Smith"
396:
384:
1028:"Written Answers – Defence Forces Property (Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 565 No. 3)"
665:"Written Answers – Defence Forces Property (Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 696 No. 2)"
1460:
769:
644:
459:
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519:
373:
334:
850:
1481:
380:
330:
1356:
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473:
246:
1056:
1512:
1050:"Press Release – Ceremony to mark the 75th Anniversary of Treaty Forts"
412:
326:
210:
116:
103:
446:
Plan of lower harbour showing location relative to other installations: (A)
422:" (1939–1945), elements of the Coastal Defence Artillery (CDA) of the
399:, the harbour defences remained in the control of British government. These
352:
By the mid-19th century the defences had been renamed to Fort
Carlisle (for
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500:
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278:
57:
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41:
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383:(1914–1918), the harbour was used as a naval base to cover the "
277:(also close to Crosshaven), the fort was built to defend the mouth of
1351:
543:
Number 3 battery – Moncrieff mountings for four RML 7 inch guns
493:
309:). By the period of the Williamite War (1689–1691) additional
1221:
694:"Victorian Forts and Artillery – Fort Carlisle PDF Datasheet"
574:
534:
484:
512:
293:, and is used as a military training site with no public access.
1002:"Military Archives – Coastal Defence Artillery Collection"
313:
were in place on the site, and known as "King John's Fort" (for
1196:
1146:
926:
Inspector of
Government Prisons in Ireland annual report, 1852
289:
in 1938, and renamed Fort Davis. The facility is owned by the
909:
Parliamentary Papers, House of
Commons and Command, Volume 53
830:
James
Coleman (1915). "The old castles around Cork Harbour".
811:
James
Coleman (1914). "The old castles around Cork Harbour".
939:
Ian Stevenson (February 1998). "The Cork Harbour Defences".
1201:
744:"Your Town – Cork Harbour: Forts Camden and Carlisle"
469:
1004:. Irish Defence Forces: Military Archives. Archived from
832:
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society
813:
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society
611:
English – Irish Dictionary of Military and Related Terms
641:
Castles and fortifications in Ireland, 1485–1945
722:"A Yankee and Rebel Side by Side in Cork Harbour"
515:, two demi-bastions and one semi-circular bastion
1510:
1109:(Report). Irish Defence Forces. 2003. p. 21
1055:. Cork County Council. July 2013. Archived from
638:
321:, this fort fell to Williamite forces under the
265:, Ireland. Together with similar structures at
960:. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
688:
686:
684:
682:
1162:
938:
829:
810:
869:A fortified tunnel still bears the date 1797
848:
766:Ireland Green Guide Michelin 2012–2013
679:
411:– who was the chief organiser of the
1169:
1155:
932:
634:
632:
1082:"Army > Organisation > 1st Brigade"
928:. HM Stationery Office. 1854. p. 17.
882:. Ordnance Survey Ireland. Archived from
716:
714:
617:. Irish Defence Forces. 2007. p. 93
441:
389:Royal Garrison Artillery Coastal Defence
339:
1524:Buildings and structures in County Cork
1129:"VIDEO: Army find tunnel in Fort Davis"
629:
1511:
952:
950:
911:. House of Commons. 1852. p. 22.
896:Marked on 1830s map as 'French Prison'
354:Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle
1500:Coastal fortifications of County Cork
1150:
852:A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland
711:
301:The coastline at Whitegate, north of
1329:National Maritime College of Ireland
590:List of Irish military installations
958:"Buildings of Ireland - Fort Davis"
947:
555:Rupert's Tower Battery – Two
13:
285:, the fort was handed-over to the
77:
14:
1540:
1529:Military installations of Ireland
1131:. Irish Examiner. 2 November 2015
724:. Irish in the American Civil War
667:. Oireachtas.ie. 26 November 2009
1519:Forts in the Republic of Ireland
1250:
1176:
76:
69:
50:
1121:
1096:
1074:
1042:
1020:
994:
972:
943:(42). Palmerston Forts Society.
918:
901:
872:
863:
842:
823:
768:. Michelin Green Guides. 2011.
699:. Victorian Forts and Artillery
526:(later reconstructed for three
458:, (D) Fort Davis/Carlisle, (E)
1030:. Oireachtas.ie. 15 April 2003
804:
782:
758:
736:
657:
602:
551:BL 6 inch coastal defence guns
311:coastal defence fortifications
202:s (significant reconstruction)
1:
595:
259:coastal defence fortification
137:Coastal defence fortification
1104:Defence Forces Annual Report
333:(1803–1815) to house French
7:
1456:Fort Mitchel (Westmoreland)
746:. Passage West Town Council
583:
10:
1545:
566:South Battery – Two
549:North Battery – Two
358:Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
307:Prince Rupert of the Rhine
296:
1494:
1469:
1433:
1412:
1405:
1375:
1344:
1337:
1300:
1259:
1248:
1184:
639:Paul M. Kerrigan (1995).
533:Number 2 battery –
452:Fort Mitchel/Westmoreland
437:
401:Treaty Port installations
393:Irish War of Independence
226:
221:
206:
180:
175:
165:
155:
150:
142:
132:
95:
64:
49:
34:
25:
20:
1425:UNAS Queenstown (Aghada)
1383:Roche's Point Lighthouse
468:On the landward side, a
792:. British Library. 1700
577:and support buildings.
559:(later rebuilt for two
56:Fort Davis viewed from
1420:Haulbowline Naval Base
1084:. Irish Defence Forces
462:
448:Haulbowline Naval Base
349:
325:in the lead-up to the
263:Whitegate, County Cork
1451:Fort Meagher (Camden)
1446:Fort Davis (Carlisle)
1388:Royal Cork Yacht Club
849:Samuel Lewis (1837).
561:BL 6-inch Mk VII guns
537:with shields for two
499:On the seaward side,
445:
432:Department of Defence
424:Irish Artillery Corps
343:
315:John, King of England
291:Department of Defence
160:Department of Defence
146:74 acres (30 ha)
1470:Other fortifications
1393:Spit Bank Lighthouse
1313:Ringaskiddy Terminal
1301:Industry and economy
287:Irish Defence Forces
283:British Armed Forces
275:Templebreedy Battery
235:Irish Defence Forces
231:British Armed Forces
222:Garrison information
215:Treaty Port handover
520:Moncrieff mountings
456:Fort Meagher/Camden
360:). In the 1850s, a
323:Duke of Marlborough
113: /
1406:Naval and military
1362:River Ballynacorra
1324:Whitegate Refinery
1277:Haulbowline Island
855:. London. p.
528:QF 12-pounder guns
463:
397:Anglo-Irish Treaty
385:Western Approaches
350:
348:(then Fort Camden)
273:(Crosshaven), and
1506:
1505:
1490:
1489:
1461:Fort Templebreedy
1434:Coastal artillery
1401:
1400:
1320:
886:on 29 August 2012
643:. Collins Press.
460:Fort Templebreedy
317:). Together with
251:Dún an Dáibhisigh
240:
239:
192:(original castle)
28:Dún an Dáibhisigh
1536:
1477:Blackrock Castle
1410:
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1376:Other navigation
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568:BL 9.2 inch guns
557:RML 12 inch guns
539:RML 10 inch guns
374:Palmerston Forts
368:(Spike Island),
362:Royal Commission
335:prisoners of war
269:(Spike Island),
201:
199:
191:
189:
151:Site information
128:
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117:51.816°N 8.261°W
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1062:on 2 April 2015
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1008:on 2 April 2014
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982:. Cairogang.com
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524:RML 7 inch guns
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331:Napoleonic Wars
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303:Roche's Point
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255:Fort Carlisle
253:; previously
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211:Siege of Cork
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1317:Tivoli Docks
1308:Port of Cork
1292:Spike Island
1287:Rocky Island
1272:Great Island
1232:Passage West
1178:Cork Harbour
1133:. Retrieved
1123:
1111:. Retrieved
1098:
1086:. Retrieved
1076:
1064:. Retrieved
1057:the original
1044:
1032:. Retrieved
1022:
1010:. Retrieved
1006:the original
996:
984:. Retrieved
974:
962:. Retrieved
940:
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925:
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912:
908:
903:
895:
888:. Retrieved
884:the original
874:
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851:
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816:
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794:. Retrieved
784:
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701:. Retrieved
669:. Retrieved
659:
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619:. Retrieved
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464:
417:
409:Thomas Davis
404:
378:
366:Fort Mitchel
351:
346:Fort Meagher
300:
279:Cork Harbour
267:Fort Mitchel
254:
250:
242:
241:
176:Site history
166:Open to
58:Cork Harbour
27:
15:
1413:Naval bases
1367:Lough Mahon
1267:Fota Island
1217:Glounthaune
1207:Carrigaline
1185:Settlements
1135:13 November
494:star shaped
379:During the
370:Fort Camden
356:a previous
319:Fort Camden
271:Fort Camden
120: /
96:Coordinates
42:County Cork
1513:Categories
1338:Navigation
1237:Rushbrooke
1212:Crosshaven
650:1898256128
596:References
490:drawbridge
479:terreplein
428:Irish Army
405:Fort Davis
243:Fort Davis
105:51°48′58″N
84:Fort Davis
21:Fort Davis
1497:See also:
1441:Cove Fort
1352:River Lee
1242:Whitegate
1227:Monkstown
1192:Cork City
941:The Redan
838:: 105–12.
819:: 161–75.
535:Casemated
522:for four
505:magazines
261:close to
227:Occupants
108:8°15′40″W
38:Whitegate
1315:•
1222:Midleton
1113:23 March
1088:23 March
1066:19 March
1034:19 March
1012:20 March
986:19 March
964:19 March
890:20 March
796:19 March
750:19 March
728:20 March
703:19 March
671:19 March
621:23 March
584:See also
575:barracks
485:caponier
474:ramparts
470:dry-moat
418:During "
257:), is a
213:(1690),
513:bastion
297:History
196: (
186: (
1197:Aghada
772:
647:
492:. The
454:, (C)
450:, (B)
438:Layout
217:(1938)
207:Events
1107:(PDF)
1060:(PDF)
1053:(PDF)
834:. 2.
815:. 2.
697:(PDF)
615:(PDF)
247:Irish
181:Built
156:Owner
36:Near
1202:Cobh
1137:2016
1115:2015
1090:2015
1068:2015
1036:2015
1014:2015
988:2015
966:2015
892:2015
798:2015
770:ISBN
752:2015
730:2015
705:2015
673:2015
645:ISBN
623:2015
407:for
198:1860
194:1860
188:1607
184:1607
143:Area
133:Type
857:429
836:XXI
40:in
1515::
949:^
894:.
817:XX
713:^
681:^
631:^
482:,
476:,
472:,
337:.
249::
233:,
171:No
1319:)
1311:(
1170:e
1163:t
1156:v
1139:.
1117:.
1092:.
1070:.
1038:.
1016:.
990:.
968:.
859:.
800:.
778:.
754:.
732:.
707:.
675:.
653:.
625:.
563:)
530:)
245:(
200:)
190:)
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