Inch Fort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inch Fort |
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| County Donegal Ireland |
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Gun emplacement overlooking Lough Swilly
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| Coordinates | 55°05′03″N 7°30′55″W / 55.0842°N 7.5153°W |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Condition | Intact, part demolished |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1812-1813 Reconstructed 1895-1899 |
| Materials | Stone Concrete Earth |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | British Armed Forces |
Inch Fort is a historic military building located on Inch Island in Lough Swilly, County Donegal, Ireland. It was built a long time ago, between 1812 and 1813. This was during a big conflict called the Napoleonic Wars. The fort was designed to protect the important waterway of Lough Swilly.
Inch Fort: A Historic Stronghold
Inch Fort was first built with places for nine large guns. Six of these guns were in an open area, and three more were inside a strong building called a blockhouse. A blockhouse is a small, strong fort, often made of thick walls. After the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815, the fort was not looked after very well. Its defenses were mostly forgotten for many years.
Modernizing the Defenses
Later, in the 1880s, people realized that Lough Swilly needed better protection again. So, a plan was made to make the fort stronger. By 1893, Inch Fort was updated with new, powerful weapons. It received two 6-inch guns. These guns had a special system called "hydropneumatic carriages." This system helped the guns absorb their recoil when fired. At the same time, a small living area for soldiers, called a barrack complex, was added. However, by 1905, these guns were no longer considered necessary. The fort was then disarmed, meaning its guns were removed, and it was left empty.
Inch Fort Today
Today, you can still see parts of Inch Fort. The areas where the two 6-inch guns once stood are still there. You can also see the underground rooms, called magazines, where ammunition was stored. Sadly, most of the original blockhouse from the 1800s was taken down. This happened when the fort was updated in the 1890s. Even so, Inch Fort remains an interesting historical site. It reminds us of its role in protecting Ireland's coast.
