Martello Tower in Rush, County Dublin

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

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Rush Martello Tower No. 8 (Kerrigan 1995, 174). According to Kerrigan (1995, 168) construction of the Dublin area Martello Towers and their batteries commenced in 1804 under the supervision of Colonel Benjamin Fisher of the Royal Engineers and by December 1805 all towers were armed and complete. Kerrigan (ibid.) recorded that; 'Twelve towers were constructed north of Dublin: each tower mounted one 24-pounder, apart from the tower on Ireland's Eye with two 24-pounders. No batteries were constructed with these towers'. Located in a private garden on Harbour Road overlooking the E coast. Two pillars on the street indicate land entrance to tower. Access now completely overgrown. This is a squat cylindrical tower with a parapet level marked by offsets. The entrance is in the W. It has a rendered finish which has begun to fall away especially around the door. Bricked features have been added to roof. There are flat roofed chalets built around the tower (Kerrigan 1996, 175). It sat within a circular stone boundary wall now visible as a low circular bank and fencing. It was manned by a full complement of artillerymen until the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815. It was then occupied by an invalid Gunner of the Royal artillery until at least 1830. The tower was handed over to the Coast Guard in 1865. It was sold in the 1930's by the Minister for Defence (Bolton et al. 2012, 169). Martello Tower described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) as a; 'Martello tower, c.1805, on a circular plan with tapered profile, having machicolation above former entrance' (NIAH Reg. No. 11324023; https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/11324023/rush-martello-tower-fingal) See attached plans of Rush Martello Tower No. 8 courtesy of the Irish Military Archives - Archival Reference Code: IE/MA/MPD/ad134124-004 Photo © Eirian Evans (cc-by-sa/2.0) DU008-015----_02 Patrick Healy Collection, https://hdl.handle.net/10599/3110, © South Dublin Libraries, Local Studies Collection, County Library, Town Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 24 January 2023

From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record DU008-015

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Picture notes

Eirian Evans, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Jonjobaker, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Computer-made picture. It does not show this playground.
Eirian Evans, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Building (Publishers) Ltd., Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
jwd, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
David Medcalf, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Rush Martello TowerMartello tower · 1 yd

Explorer Tom Rush Martello Tower has a red brick roof that’s falling apart, looking like it hasn’t brushed its teeth since 1805. It’s got a machicolation up top, which is fancy for 'overhang'. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

harbour/dock/port304 yd

Explorer Tom Harbour in Rush was built around 1835 with some limestone piers that are still standing strong against the tide of time. It’s got that rugged charm that makes you feel like you’re in a movie about sailors who don’t wash their hands. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent and charges for entry.

Hand Park Public PlaygroundChildren's playground · 506 ydComputer-made picture. It does not show this playground.

Explorer Tom Hand Park Public Playground in County Dublin says yes to access but nothing else. Cheeky! I bet the seesaw can predict the weather. Show me what you discover there!

Mariners PlaygroundChildren's playground · 1.0 miComputer-made picture. It does not show this playground.

Explorer Tom Mariners Playground in County Dublin smells like old rope and salty regrets. I bet there’s a pirate ship that only appears at low tide. If you see a parrot, ask it for directions!

The MillbankVisitor information · 1.1 mi

Explorer Tom The Millbank has a windmill mound in Rush that's seen better days. The lower part is still standing there. Get a shot of the old stone for me!

IndicatedWindmill · 1.2 mi

Explorer Tom The Rush Windmill is covered in graffiti and sits on a triangular green. It’s got metal doors now to keep the ghosts out. Go check if the relieving arch still holds up its weight of history!

Kenure PorticoMonument · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Kenure Portico in County Dublin looks like an entrance to nowhere in particular. It’s got that grand facade but maybe no destination behind it, which is weird.

Rush South BeachBeach / strand · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Rush South Beach in County Dublin has a stream called Bride's coming in, which sounds like a holy woman doing her laundry. If you see her wringing out a sheet, wave politely but don't get too close.

LoughshinnyVisitor information · 2.0 mi

Explorer Tom Loughshinny has sand dunes that shift around like they’re shy. An old map from 1778 says it’s been here forever, so go check it out.

CastleCastle, tower house · 2.4 mi

Explorer Tom Castle Byrn in Blackrock is currently Seapoint Manor, living the high life while forgetting its slated castle roots. Walter Cheevers held it back in 1654, so he probably had better shoes and less anxiety. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name.

The Farmhouse 1722Memorial · 2.5 mi

Explorer Tom The Farmhouse 1722 in County Dublin has been sitting there since the early eighteenth century. It’s seen more ghosts than your local pub. Take a picture for me if you pass!

Lambay HarbourBeach / strand · 2.6 mi

Explorer Tom Lambay Harbour in County Dublin was photographed from a yacht called Tic Tac. Tell the boat to stop ticking and start floating. It’s a harbour, not a timepiece with an ego.

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