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Beach Tower, Waterford facts for kids

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Beach Tower
Beach Tower 4.jpg
The Beach Tower was part of the medieval defences of Waterford City in Ireland
General information
Type Fortified tower
Town or city Waterford
Country Ireland
Coordinates 52°15′37.5″N 7°6′19.5″W / 52.260417°N 7.105417°W / 52.260417; -7.105417
Construction started 15th century
Technical details
Material Stone

The Beach Tower is an old stone building in Waterford, Ireland. It was built way back in the 1400s! This tower was an important part of the city's defenses. It stands on a rocky hill, looking out over the River Suir. This spot was perfect for protecting the city. Today, you can find it in the Jenkins Lane car park.

What was the Beach Tower for?

The Beach Tower was like a lookout post. From its high position, people could see far up and down the River Suir. They could even see Granagh Castle and Reginald's Tower. This was super important for keeping the city safe.

Why was the view so important?

Imagine living in a city long ago. Sometimes, enemies would try to attack from the river. People in the Beach Tower could spot danger early. They especially watched for ships from Spain, as there was a fear of attacks from that direction. The tower also gave them a great view of the city's docks. This helped them keep an eye on everything happening there.

How did the tower change over time?

The Beach Tower was first built in the 1400s. But it was changed a lot in the early 1600s. It became a stronger type of fort called a bastion citadel. This means it had a rectangular shape with special corners that stuck out. These corner parts, called bastions, were common in forts built in Ireland during the 1600s. They helped make the tower even better at defending the city.

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