What is recorded here

Horse Island still holds a ruined circular tower, built according to local tradition by Somerville Large to guide merchant ships into harbour. Standing four metres tall on the western edge of Cork, it watched the sea and marked the harbour mouth. The tower has fallen into decay, but its shape remains clear enough to imagine lantern light moving along the water at night.

Circular tower (H c. 4m) on Horse Island. Door in NE wall. According to local tradition, built by Somerville Large to guide his merchant ships into harbour. 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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