Survey Data
Reg No
31956005
Rating
National
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social, Technical
Previous Name
Shannonbridge Infantry Barrack
Original Use
Fortification
Date
1810 - 1820
Coordinates
196498, 225418
Date Recorded
15/08/2003
Date Updated
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Description
Tete-de-pont with glacis, redoubts and caponniere, constructed in 1810, with barracks added in 1814. Completed in 1817. Random coursed stone ramparts with cut stone quoins, built to a triangular plan with corner bastions. Segmental-headed gun loop openings to redoubts. Detached twelve-bay three-storey former military barracks with random coursed cut stone walls. Replacement timber sash windows, doors and overlights. Gunloops to rear. Single-storey stone outbuildings to north. Detached three-bay single-storey former officers mess, now used as a private house. Fortification built along axis of bridge to east and is partially bisected by road.
Appraisal
Built at a strategic point on the River Shannon to defend against a possible French invasion, this bridgehead fortification is of great historic significance and is unique within Ireland and Britain. Its defences included redoubts with gun loop openings, a caponniere, which was a vaulted structure designed to be bomb proof, batteries and earthworks known as glacis, which sloped to expose attackers to fire. Not only is this structure historically significant, it is a testament to the endeavours of military engineers.