What is recorded here

Seven metres of solid stone rise from Bear Island, a circular sentinel built to watch the sea and resist invasion. Its thick walls, shallow moat and roof gun track reveal a place designed for danger, not comfort. The empty chamber may have echoed with boots, breath and the sound of waves striking rock.

On Bear Island. Gently circular tapering tower (H c. 7m); surrounded by shallow moat and outer enclosure. Barrel-shaped internal ground plan (6.09m E-W; 6.05m N-S; wall thickness 2.4m); vaulted roof (long axis E-W) over 1st floor level. Door on 1st floor to E with machicolation overhead. Spiral stairs on 1st floor providing access up to roof level. Splayed ground- and 1st-floor windows to NW and SW. Paved roof with mural chamber in parapet wall; wall-walk with gun-carriage track. Just S of tower are remains of rectangular structure. Ordnance ground c. 0.31m to NE of tower with remains of battery (CO128-015---). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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