Eask Tower facts for kids
The Eask Tower is a strong stone tower located on top of Carhoo Hill in County Kerry, Ireland. It stands tall overlooking Dingle harbour.
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What is the Eask Tower?
The Eask Tower was built in 1847. Its main job was to help guide ships and boats safely into Dingle harbour. The harbour entrance can be tricky, so the tower acted like a helpful signpost.
How the Tower Guided Ships
A wooden hand points from the tower, showing boats where to go. This helped sailors know when to slow down. It made sure they could enter the harbour safely. The tower also has an old beacon for sailors. During World War II, it was even used as a look-out post.
Building the Tower During Hard Times
The Eask Tower is made of solid stone. It was built on Carhoo Hill, which is about 600 feet (183 meters) above sea level. Building the tower provided important jobs for people during the Great Famine. This was a very difficult time in Ireland.
Changes to the Tower Over Time
When it was first built, the tower was 27 feet (8.2 meters) tall. Later, around the year 1900, it was made taller. An extra 13 feet (4 meters) of stone were added. The old wooden hand was replaced with a new one at this time.
Amazing Views from the Tower
From Carhoo Hill, where the Eask Tower stands, you can see incredible views. You can look out over a large part of the Dingle Peninsula. On a clear day, you might even spot the Blasket Islands and Slea Head. You can also see Ventry, Dingle Harbour, and the Iveragh Peninsula. If you look far enough, you might even see the Skellig Rocks. Plus, you can see Ireland's two tallest mountains: Carrauntoohil and Mount Brandon.
