Camden Fort Meagher

Detached double-pile three-bay single-storey former recreation block, built c.1940, having ruinous timber lean-to extension to front (east). Now disused. Pitched corrugated-iron roofs having 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 frames and battened timber doors. Covered walkway to side (north) having pitched bitumen roof. Located within military complex. Various related structures to site.

A interesting twentieth century building located within Fort Meagher and grouped together with other contemporary additions that were built in response to The Emergency. Corrugated-iron was used in many barracks throughout the country at the time, and is an interesting contrast to the stone and brick of earlier buildings. Camden Fort 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. Camden Fort, along with other military complexes which formed part of the Treaty Ports, was transferred to the Irish State in 1938.