Camden Fort Meagher

Detached multiple-bay single-storey officer's mess, built c.1830. Flat-roofed and lean-to extensions to rear (west). Now disused. Pitched slate roof with ceramic ridge tiles, red brick chimneystacks, rooflights and square metal ventilation openings. Rendered walls with yellow brick to extensions. Square-headed window openings with stone sills to front elevation having six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Square- and camber-headed window openings with stone sills to extensions having six-over-six and four-over-four pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed door openings to front (east) elevation. Camber-headed door openings with single and double-leaf timber battened and glazed timber doors with overlights to rear extensions. Located within military complex. Various related structures to site.

Located within Fort Meagher, this is one of a number of barrack buildings evident on the first edition Ordnance Survey map. Retaining much original fabric, the group is an interesting example of the common form of barrack buildings which were built throughout the British Empire during 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.