Standing sentinel around Ireland’s coastline are a network of Martello
Towers. Built to defend against an invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte, they
have since become part of their local communities and landscapes.
Between 1789 and 1815, Ireland, Europe and the wider world were shaken
by the turmoil of the French Revolution and the subsequent rise to
power of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Irishmen and women were participants in many of the great events
which shaped the era, like the naval Battle of Trafalgar and the
Battle of Waterloo which finally ended Napoleon’s rule. At home,
developments in Europe had a direct influence on the United
Irishmen movement of the 1790s and on the rebellions against
British rule which broke out in 1798 and 1803. The Revolutionary
and Napoleonic period profoundly affected social, economic and
political life across the island of Ireland and for all segments of
Irish society.

Today, the most tangible Irish heritage of this turbulent period
is the network of Martello Tower fortifications which dot the
coast of the island from north to south. Fifty of these iconic
structures were built to guard against an invasion which
ultimately never came; with dozens more being built in
Britain, Canada, the Caribbean, and South Africa. They are
now part of the local landscape, becoming homes to people
and wildlife alike, AirBnBs, dance halls, museums, radio
stations, restaurants, and tram stops. Their story is a 360°
view through time, linking communities around Ireland
together.

The Martello Tower Around Ireland

Some 50 Martello Towers were originally
constructed along the Irish coast, the majority
during the period 1804-05. The majority are still
standing, now part of the local community and
landscape.

Location	Towers Built	Towers Surviving
North Dublin Bay (Drogheda, County Louth to Sutton, County Dublin)	12	12
South Dublin Bay (Sandymount, County Dublin to Bray, County Wicklow)	16	9
South-East Coast (Hook Peninsula and Baginbun Bay, County Wexford)	3	3
South Coast (Counties Cork and Kerry)	5	5
Shannon Estuary (Counties Clare and Galway	3	3
North-West Coast (Counties Donegal and Derry-Londonderry)	3	3
Shanonbridge-Bannagher Crossings (Counties Offaly and Galway)	3	3