Elizabeth Fort
Unlike the forts in Kinsale, which stand free of other structures, the full extent of the walls of Elizabeth Fort is not easily seen from the outside and is best appreciated from the inside – or from the air. The most impressive view is from Fort Street to the south of the fort, where the southeast and southwest bastions can be seen linked by the later wall. While the street is narrow, it provides an uninterrupted view of the south wall, though the coal yard built against the southeast bastion is an intrusion. This was the former Potato market. From the west, the dominant feature is the roof of the Garda Station buildings, though glimpses can be seen of the two bastions also. The north side overlooking the river, where the structure is at its highest level above adjoining ground, is hidden to a great degree by later buildings and by vegetation. Along Proby’s Quay, the redan can be seen from some angles, with its dressed limestone quoins on the angles of the facetted walls. Along the east side of the fort, the walls are not visible until Keyser’s Hill is reached again. The entrance to the fort is from Keyser’s Hill on the east side. The modification of the original fort on this side where the east curtain wall was replaced in the 19 th century has resulted in a less than impressive entrance into the fort. The wall of coursed limestone rubble fronted barrack buildings, including accommodation, stable, guard room and cookhouse. A wide entrance with a smaller pedestrian gate beside it was inserted in the wall at a later date, using dressed limestone [possibly re-used]. Further down Keyser’s Hill, there is another small opening, with dressed limestone and sandstone surround. See Appendix I Drawings Within the enceinte of the fort, the later Garda buildings - station, accommodation and training facility predominate. Built c 1935, they replaced the earlier Barracks burnt down in 1922. These are in an L-shaped block of single and two The Buildings within the fort
4.2
David Kelly Partnership with Margaret Quinlan Architects
Powered by FlippingBook