The fort we built for the British to arm

I WONDER if any of your readers would have information on Fort Shannon which was constructed a short distance from Tarbert, Co Kerry, during the Emergency years.

It was built by the corps of engineers with the assistance of an infantry company and a company from the construction corps.

Fort Shannon was unique because it was the first modern fort designed and constructed by Irishmen in their own country. It was a considerable undertaking with gun emplacements, fire control station, searchlight installations, engine rooms and electricity generating stations. Construction began in May 1942 and two six-inch naval guns were provided by the British who were equally anxious to protect the Shannon estuary and the flying boat facilities at Foynes and the land aerodrome on the Clare side of Rineanna.