Indicated — Ross Island

National Monument No. 534. This record was created based on a typescript copy on file concerning a talk given by Mr T. Armitage at KHAS outing at Killarney Sun 8 Oct. 1967 in which the following is recorded. "The structure you see on the south side was built as a barracks for two hundred soldiers, together with apartments for officers of the castle, stores, stables etc. Smith who saw it in 1752 stated it was new and 'had for some years past a military garrison and governor.' Weld writing in 1812 said that this officer was appointed governor to reward him for him for his services to the Crown in New Ross, Co. Wexford. In the 18th century the barracks was extended when a three-storey structure was built onto the S side of the tower. The alterations made to the tower itself at this time included the removal of the antechambers on the N side of the main chambers, the removal of the vault over the first floor, and the insertion of sash windows in the ground and first floors of the E wall. In 1825 the barracks went out of use and the entire complex fell into disrepair. Subsequently a number of actions were taken to consolidate the tower including the insertion of metal ties, the insertion of two walls to support a collapsing vault between the second and third floors, the blocking up of the sash windows, the building of a large buttress against the NW corner, and the insertion of a concrete roof on metal beams (Rourke 1999, 12). The tower house was taken into state care in 1970 and subsequently underwent major conservation and restoration including the removal of 17th/18th/19th-century insertions and rebuilding of the antechambers (ibid.). It was opened to the public as a visitor attraction in 1993. Compiled by: Matt Kelleher Date of upload: 6 February 2012