The Magilligan Martello Tower is a Martello tower located on the Magilligan Peninsula (Co. Derry, Northern Ireland). This tower dates back to 1812, following the Napoleonic Wars. The tower was used by the British as a surveillance base, as they feared a possible French invasion.
The Magilligan Martello Tower is a round tower dating back to Napoleon. It is one of 74 towers on the island of Ireland.
Built over 3 floors, its walls are 2.5 metres thick. The top floor was a shooting platform. The middle floor provided accommodation for 12 men and an officer. The floor below was used as a cellar, containing a drinking water well, weapons, gunpowder and food.
Among the building’s other subtleties, the tower is equipped with an entrance door located 3 meters above ground level (an iron staircase, added in the 20th century, provides access). This high door is typical of the Martello Tower in Ireland. In those days, a ladder was used to gain entry. It was immediately withdrawn to protect itself, and avoid the entrance of enemies.
Beyond this gate, the tower was also equipped with 2 defensive cannons, each weighing 10kg. These could be rotated to sweep up approaching boats.
For the record, the Magilligan Martello Tower was completed late, in 1817, two years after Napoleon was exiled to the island of St. Helena. (By then, there was no threat).
The garrison stationed here never fired on any enemy. The Tower’s usefulness was therefore relative, until 39-45, when it was rehabilitated to face the danger of the Second World War. At that time, the tower underwent a number of modifications and was equipped with a sort of semi-buried mini-bunker.
Today, the tower is closed to visitors, but there’s nothing to stop you admiring it from the outside. It is a vestige of the 19th century: a building that still bears witness to the ancient conflict between the British and the French, and then to the 39/45 conflict.
A historic site not far from Benone Beach on the Magilligan Peninsula. After your visit to the Martello Tower, don’t hesitate to take a stroll. The beach is magnificent, facing the Renvyle Peninsula (Co. Donegal).
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