Regarding your question on the Martello Tower at Finavarra.
There is also another Martello Tower at Aughinish, three miles away
(as the crow flies).
I cannot answer your question, but since no one else has attempted it
yet, I am posting the following limited information. The following
are sources of information about one or both of these towers.
(The early history of all Martello towers in Ireland and Britain is
linked). Apologies in advance if you are already aware of the details
I am giving.
( 1). Discovery Series, Map Number 51. (Ordnance Survey Ireland,
2002 and other years)
The Martello Tower at Finavarra Point is shown on this map, but there
is no other information given.
The other Martello Tower at Aughinish is also shown.
( 2 ). The Burren, A Map of the Uplands of North West Clare. (Tim
Robinson, 1977 & 1999)
The tower at Finavarra Point is shown on the map as follows: "
Martello Tower - built 1812-16 during Napoleonic Wars. "
The nearby Aughinish Island is outside the coverage area of this map
so the other tower cannot be shown.
( 3 ). The Burren, A Ramblers Guide & Map, Ballyvaughan. (Korff &
O'Connell, 1986)
The Finavarra tower is shown on this map as follows: "Martello Tower c. 1810."
Aughinish Island is outside the coverage area of this map.
( 4 a ). A History of County Clare. (Seán Spellissy, 2003)
This book only has one sentence about New Quay and a short piece about
Aughinish Island, with no mention of either tower.
( 4 b ). A History of County Clare - Original Manuscript. (Seán Spelissy, 2003)
The author's original manuscript of A History of County Clare is
available for reference in Clare County Libraries (Local Studies
Branch in Ennis). The book was shortened for publication. The
complete version mentions both martello towers.
"New Quay ....... The martello tower at Finavarra was one of several
built between 1804 and 1807, in fear of another French invasion. They
cost an average of £1800 (?2285) each and it took about six months to
complete a tower. The usual garrison was about ten men or so who
would have lived in a nearby barracks, such as the ruined one
north-east of the tower."
"Aughinish Island ....... The martello tower on the north-eastern
shore of the island was erected on a six-acre site sold by Mark Lynch,
for £40 (?51), in 1810. It was neglected for years but was converted
into a private residence in 1998 and 1999."
( 5 ). The History of Galway. (Seán Spellissy, 1999)
There is a section in this book about the Aughinish Martello Tower,
similar to "4 b" above.
( 6 ). "Seán Spellissy's Writings" (Seán Spellisy, 1999)
The following information was posted on Local Ireland at this page:
http://clare.local.ie/content/18886.shtml/history/www.clare.local.ie/history/general
However, I cannot display that page or any other Local Ireland page on
my computer. The following is G00gle's cache of that page dated 28th
April 2004:
http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:6GZgp7HZsjgJ:clare.local.ie/content/18886.shtml/history/www.clare.local.ie/history/general+martello+finavarra&hl=en
As you can see, it is credited as "From Seán Spellissy's Writings". I
cannot find out which book, if any, it originally came from. It is
not from "The History of Galway" or "A History of Clare" as I have
checked these two books.
"Finavarra Martello Tower dates from the period 1804-1807 when British
military engineers built many such fortifications as signal towers to
protect the coast against a French invasion. Most of these towers are
oval or round and stand between forty and sixty feet high. Their
staircases were incorporated within the walls and the doorway was
usually some distance above ground level.
Situated on Finavarra Point, the tower protected the north-eastern
side of Ballyvaughan Bay and the south-western entrance of New Quay
harbour. The usual garrison was about ten men who would have lived in
a nearby barracks. The remains of such a barracks lie north-east of
the tower."
( 7 ). The Story of Aughinish. (Rose Glynn, 2002)
There is a section in this book about the Aughinish Martello Tower.
"At the north east tip of Aughinish six acres of land were purchased
in March 1811 from Major Lynch for £40. A Martello tower was built on
the ground. The tower comprised a basement water tank, ground floor
and stories, living quarters and a flat roof- top emplacement on which
was mounted a twenty four pound cannon on a wooden platform. Both the
cannon and the wooden platform are now gone. The tower is a
magnificent building constructed from cut slabs of stone. The stone
was cut at a quarry which is located a distance away from the present
building. The remains of the quarry are still visible at the western
side of the village adjacent to the cliffs. The workmanship done on
the building of the tower is superb. The fact that it is still
standing so close to the sea and exposed to severe storms and ravaging
tides and remains undamaged is proof of the excellence of the work
done on the building. There are twenty four slabs of stone from
foundation to summit.
There is a circle of stone work at the bottom of the building much
wider than the slab structure. There are approximately sixty six slabs
of cut stone in its circumference. The walls are four feet in
thickness. The remains of a cannon and cannon balls were there until
recently. Access was by ladder and many visitors to the area borrowed
ladders from the local people to climb up to the top and go into the
tower. Fifty years ago the people of Aughinish and the surrounding
villages used the tower for dancing and "ceilidhes". The get togethers
were held on special occasions such as Christmas, Easter and weddings.
People from New Quay rowed across in their small boats to attend the
festivities. Among the rock and sea-weed opposite the Martello Tower
is a small thin rock. It is said there is a replica of this directly
opposite on the other side of the bay. Signals, probably by mirrors
are said to have been sent from one to the other. At various points
around the tower there are square stones with numbers engraved on
them. The tower is now private property. In 1960 a Limerick man named
Duffy purchased it from the Land Commission for £10. He sold it again
in 1987 for an undisclosed sum. It is suggested that the asking price
at the time was £60,000. The present owner is a Galwayman. He has
been refurbishing the building and the work is ongoing. There is a
sturdy steel stair way on the outside with a hand-rail. The stairs are
twenty steps in height from the ground to the top of the building.
There is a small gate at the top. There was always a right of way for
the public from the main road and that still remains to the present
day, as those right of ways cannot be changed or taken away. A new
road has been made by the owner just as good as the public road. This
road leads to the land and the commonage at the north side of the
village. There is a large gate at the end of the right of way."
( 8 ). The Martello Towers of Ireland. (Victor J. Enoch, 1970's)
This little book does not give its date of publication, but there are
clues in the text which show that it was printed sometime between 1974
and 1982. There are colour photographs of Finavarra Martello Tower on
the front and back covers.
"Two Towers in the West of Ireland. Two towers stand in the west,
guarding Galway Bay, and these are entirely different in shape and
appearance to the Dublin and Cork towers as they are oval shaped. . .
. . . . . To reach one tower, you take the Kinvarra Road out of Galway
and this leads you to Finavarra Point, County Clare. The tower stands
on the strand and is surrounded by large pieces of a strange, dark,
honeycombed basalt rock. There is a guard-house at the side and a
square War Department marking-stone carries the inscription: 'W.D.
No.20.' When I was looking at the tower, seagulls added to its charm
by flying in and out of it. The tower on Aughinish Island is similar
and both are well worth a visit. . . . . . . . The (Aughinish) tower
is approximately forty-five feet (13.7 metres) long at the widest part
of the oval and about thirty feet (9.1 metres) at the narrowest end.
Its height is about forty feet (12.1 metres) and there is a door ten
feet (3.0 metres) from the ground, with the usual sloped section at
its bottom to facilitate taking in munitions and supplies and an iron
bar at the top of the slope. There are drainage holes at the bottom
and three-quarters of the way up the walls and, like most unused
towers, it has vegetation growing on top of it."
( 9 ). Martello Towers. (Sheila Sutcliffe, 1972)
This book is mainly about the martello towers in England, but there is
a chapter about the towers in Ireland. A building contractor named
Mr. Ross is mentioned.
( 10 ). Recent Radio Programme. (RTE Radio 1, 2004)
I heard an item on the radio a few weeks ago about the Scottish
builder of four of the Martello Towers in the Dublin area. He got
into difficulties because the British military authorities changed the
specifications after the contract was agreed. They insisted on using
smooth cut ashlar instead of dressed stone, but they didn't increase
the payment. The builder couldn't pay his men, so he returned to
Scotland leaving the towers unfinished. He was the one who was
unfairly treated, but the government called his behaviour
unreasonable. Later, his son came to Dublin and finished the towers.
I would suggest contacting some of the local families for further
information. Obviously, names of private individuals couldn't be
given here. You don't mention your location, but, if you cannot visit
the area, maybe you could write to any of the following and ask them
to display a notice or pass on your letter to someone who might be
able to help.
"Post Office, Burrin, New Quay, Co.Clare, (Galway PO)"
"Parish Priest, New Quay, Co.Clare, (Galway PO)"
"Principal, New Quay National School, Co.Clare, (Galway PO)"
Also, you could contact these local historians:
Sr. De Lourdes Fahy, Convent of Mercy, Gort, Co.Galway.
Rose Glynn, Aughinish, c/o Kinvara Post Office, Co.Galway.
Seán Spellissy, The Book Gallery, Cronin's Yard, Upper Market Street,
Ennis, Co.Clare.
Best of luck with your research. |
