Camden Fort Meagher

Detached eight-bay single-storey over basement barracks, built c.1830, having pitched roof porches to front (south-west). Now disused. Hipped slate roof with red brick chimneystacks, rendered eaves course and cast-iron rainwater goods. Lined-and-ruled rendered walls with roughcast render to basement level of side (south-east) elevation. Square-headed window openings with stone sills, now blocked or windowless. Low rendered plinth with concrete coping concealing basement area to front (west). Located within military complex. Various related structures to site.

Located within Fort Meagher (formerly known as Camden Fort), this is one of a number of barrack buildings evident on the first edition Ordnance Survey map. Retaining much original fabric, the building is an interesting example of the utilitarian form of barrack buildings which were built throughout the British Empire in the nineteenth century. Fort Meagher played a significant role in the defence network in Cork harbour, and was extended and fortified by the British in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Together with Fort Davis (formerly Carlisle Fort) on the opposite side of the harbour, this pair marked the entrance to a heavily fortified coastal area, with Spike Island, Cobh and Haulbowline all forming part of an extensive military complex.