Garnish Island Martello Tower was built on a small island in Bantry Bay where a French force had tried to land in 1796. After this failing landing attempt, the British built a number of coast defence batteries and redoubts around Bantry Bay. The Garnish Island Martello Tower was a later addition to these defences. The Martello Tower was built about 1805, probably about the same time as the Martello Towers were being built in Cork.
From on site signage it would appear that at one time the whole are within the boundary wall was barrack accommodation with a cannon platform for five guns at the far end. Most of this building and the cannon platform have been lost.
Garnish Island Martello Tower was built on a small island in Bantry Bay where a French force had tried to land in 1796. After this failing landing attempt, the British built a number of coast defence batteries and redoubts around Bantry Bay. The Garnish Island Martello Tower was a later addition to these defences. The Martello Tower was built about 1805, probably about the same time as the Martello Towers were being built in Cork.
From on site signage it would appear that at one time the whole are within the boundary wall was barrack accommodation with a cannon platform for five guns at the far end. Most of this building and the cannon platform have been lost.