Magilligan Martello Tower

Magilligan
County Londonderry
Magilligan Martello Tower
Type:	Martello tower
Location
Grid reference:	C66073887
Location:	55°11’33"N, 6°57’48"W
History
Information
Owned by:	(State care)

Magilligan Martello Tower stands at the point of the Magilligan peninsula in the north-west of County Londonderry, at the entrance to Lough Foyle. It is in the townland of Dioaghs Lower.

The tower was begun here in 1812 as a coastal defence gun platform during the Napoleonic Wars and the beginning of the War of 1812 with the United States: this was rather late in the wars as by this time Britain had been at war with France for nineteen years already and had command of the seas. The delay was because the original plan for a fort at Magilligan point was impractical due to soft ground.

The tower is a round tower which mounted two 24 pounder guns. It was built at the same time as the more unusual double-gunned tower across the lough at Greencastle in County Donegal.

The tower was not completed until 1817, two years after the wars had ended and Napoleon, against whose invasion it was built to guard, had been exiled to St Helena. The garrison stationed here never fired a shot at any enemy.

During Second World War the top of the tower was fitted out with a pillbox.

The tower today

Since the tower was built, deposits of sand have extended the peninsular by several hundred yards and the tower is now located a considerable distance from the sea.

The tower has been beautifully restored in recent years, but is normally locked.

There is a ferry service which operates all the year around with Greencastle across the lough.

Outside links

• Magilligan Sand Dunes virtual field trip
• Magilligan Martello Tower
• The Lough Foyle Ferry Company
• History of Magilligan 1600-1800