The military numbered the martello towers for identification purposes. Of the sixteen on the Southside of Dublin, from Sandymount to Bray, only nine remain standing.
Tower number 1: This tower was located near Bray and is no longer standing. It was on the waterfront about half a mile south of tower number two.
Tower number 2: This tower and its battery are near the railway crossing in Bray. The tower is converted into a residence. Bono, of U2 fame, lived in it for some time.
Tower number 3: This tower is no longer standing, but was located on the strand at Old Cork, north of Bray.
Tower number 4: This tower and and two batteries were sited at Maghera Point in Killiney Bay . According to one source, it was blown up by army engineers in about 1906 or 1907, as coastal erosion had made the structure unsound.
Tower number 5: This tower was planned but never actually built. However, the battery was built and remains standing today. It is located in the townland of Shanganagh on top of the cliffs. A tree-lined path known as Battery Woods leads to it.
Tower number 6: This is the Loughlinstown River tower and is also known as 'Enoch's tower', as it was lovingly converted and lived in by a man called Victor J. Enoch.
Martello tower, Killiney Hill Road
Martello tower located at Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Co.Dublin. Entrances to towers were located at a height for security purposes. Overhanging the entrance, macicolations with holes in the floor to shoot or drop things on unwanted callers, can clearly be seen in this image. Behind the machicolation was a "murder hole", a square opening in the floor above the entrance, likely to have been used for hoisting ammunition or equipment up to a gun platform.
Martello tower, Killiney Hill Road
Martello tower, Killiney Hill Road
Martello tower located at Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Co.Dublin. Entrances to towers were located at a height for security purposes. Overhanging the entrance, macicolations with holes in the floor to shoot or drop things on unwanted callers, can clearly be seen in this image. Behind the machicolation was a "murder hole", a square opening in the floor above the entrance, likely to have been used for hoisting ammunition or equipment up to a gun platform.
Tower number 7: This tower and its battery are located at the junction of Killiney Avenue and Killiney Hill Road. Unusually, the tower is located inland at a distance of about half a kilometre from the sea. Its position on high ground may have made it useful as a lookout post. The tower is located on private land, but is open to the public and more information is available at http://photopol.com/martello/no7.html .
Tower number 8: A battery remains on the site of this tower near the south end of Vico Road. One source says that a tower was planned but never built. The battery is known as Limekiln Battery.
Martello tower, Dalkey Island
Martello tower, Dalkey Island, Co.Dublin. Photographed from Killiney Hill, with a view of Sorrento Terrace. St.Begnets chapel can be seen on the island along with the tower.
© South Dublin Libraries, courtesy of Joe WilliamsMartello tower, Dalkey Island
© South Dublin Libraries, courtesy of Joe Williams
© South Dublin Libraries, courtesy of Joe Williams
Martello tower, Dalkey Island
Martello tower, Dalkey Island, Co.Dublin. Photographed from Killiney Hill, with a view of Sorrento Terrace. St.Begnets chapel can be seen on the island along with the tower.
© South Dublin Libraries, courtesy of Joe WilliamsTower number 9: This tower and its battery stand on Dalkey Island, as seen in the photo above. The ruins of an old chapel can also be seen on this island.