Elizabeth Fort
3.2 Historical Background From the earliest Anglo-Norman times Cork was a walled city depending on the walls and Shandon Castle (located outside the walls on the north side of the city) for its defence, but with the development of artillery its position became weak due to the many surrounding hills. The defeat of the Earl of Desmond by the English in 1583 and subsequent confiscation of his lands led to the plantation of Munster by Queen Elizabeth 1. By the end of the 16 th century, several thousand English families had arrived in Munster to profit from the land tracts available to them. These planters in turn looked for protection, which came in the form of several thousand English soldiers. In January 1590, the order was given by Elizabeth I, in fear of a Spanish invasion as well as the fear of attack from the native Irish, to construct star-shaped forts outside the town walls of each major Irish coastal walled town, in particular Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Cork. In Cork, the harbour was deemed important to defend but the construction of any new forts was delayed due to the on- going interference by Irish rebels, and work proceeded slowly. In 1599, a new Lord President of Munster, Sir George Carew was appointed to quell the native rebel Irish factions. After the Spanish attack on Kinsale in 1601, it was decided by Carew that Cork harbour would have to be immediately defended. A new star-shaped fort was constructed on Haulbowline Island in the harbour, and a new fort at Castle Park was constructed called James Fort (after James I) in Kinsale Harbour. Camden Fort Meagher near Crosshaven in Cork Harbour originally dated from around 1550 and was further added to in 1600. The largest and most impressive fortification, Charles Fort, was not constructed until 1680. In addition, in 1601, a star-shaped fort, Elizabeth Fort, was constructed around St Mary del Nard, an earlier church, described as derelict by 1601, though it had been a functioning church in 1580. It was located just outside South Gate drawbridge of the city on a limestone outcrop that overlooked the southern road leading into the walled town. Before the construction of Elizabeth Fort, Cork city was well protected by its city walls and towers, with additional
David Kelly Partnership with Margaret Quinlan Architects
Powered by FlippingBook