Council moves to have Cork's military installations designated World Heritage Sites

Included in the list are Napoleonic-era Martello towers and Gunpower Mills in Ballincollig

Part of the Gunpowder Mills complex at the Regional Park, Ballincollig. Picture: Denis Minihane

The first steps have been taken to have the impressive list of military installations in and around Cork Harbour, with a combined history of more than 4,000 years, designated as World Heritage Sites.

The wealth of military history in the harbour is phenomenal, dating back many centuries, and it is considered by eminent military historians to be one of the largest and most significant ‘clutches’ of such installations in the world.

Council officials have agreed to look at progressing the world heritage application after Independent councillor Marcia D’Alton got unanimous support from her colleagues to seek the designation.

Camden Fort Meaghar, Crosshaven, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

The list she put forward includes Fort Westmoreland/Fort Mitchell on Spike Island, Camden Fort Meagher, Crosshaven and Fort Carlisle/Davis, near Whitegate.

Also included are a number of Napoleonic-era Martello towers around the harbour at Ringaskiddy, Haulbowline, Belvelly, Rossleague and Monning.

Historic buildings at the Haulbowline naval base will also be on the list alongside Collins Barracks, in the city, and the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig — once the biggest gunpowder supplier in the British Empire.

Ms D’Alton said putting such remarkable structures, mainly built by prisoners, into one batch should “clinch approval". 

She spent some time detailing the extensive history of the installations to her colleagues, prompting Fianna Fáil leader on the council Seamus McGrath to say she had made “a very well-presented case".

“It is amazing how much history we have. It’s a great motion,” added Crosshaven-based Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley.

Assistant council chief executive Michael Lynch, who oversees most of the harbour region, said there was much heritage to be proud of in the Cork region, “not least of all in the harbour".

He said a comprehensive application to achieve the world heritage status would require a lot of work and would take some time to process.

Collins Barracks. Picture: Larry Cummins

However, he said the council would talk to its heritage unit and the director of planning to see the best way to proceed.

The county council will also seek backing from the city council for the application, as Collins Barracks and the Royal Gunpowder Mills fall within its jurisdiction.

While some fortifications were originally built by the English in the 16th century, they were significantly reinforced and expanded upon during the Napoleonic Wars and upgraded again prior to and during the First World War.

Ms D’Alton pointed out some sites were unique.

Camden Fort Meagher is internationally recognised as one of the best remaining examples of a 'classical coastal artillery fort' in the world.

“The British regarded the Martello towers of Cork Harbour as being the epitome of Martello tower design and construction. The tower at Ringaskiddy is particularly fine and is today the largest Martello tower of any reasonable condition standing in an original moat in the world,” Ms D’Alton said.

The naval base on Haulbowline Island is where one of the world’s first yacht clubs, Royal Cork Yacht Club, was founded in 1720.

“The [Royal] Gunpowder Mills were taken over and expanded by the British at the onset of the Napoleonic Wars. The provision of housing for the mills’ hundreds of workers created the basis for a village at Ballincollig," she added. 

"The networks of sluices and canals used in the manufacturing process and over 50 of the mill structures still survive on the site of what is now the Ballincollig Regional Park."