Camden Fort Meagher

Detached multiple-bay single-storey mess hall, built c.1940, having lean-to additions to rear (north). Now disused. Pitched corrugated-iron roof with timber clad eaves and cast-iron rainwater goods. Corrugated-iron walls with concrete basal plinth. Square-headed window openings with timber sills, having six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed door openings with timber battened doors. Located within military complex. Various related structures to site.

An interesting twentieth century building located within Camden Fort and grouped together with other contemporary buildings that were built in response to The Emergency. Corrugated-iron was used in many barracks throughout the country at the time, and makes for an interesting contrast to the stone and brick of earlier buildings. 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.