Sandymount Promenade

Some parks with a large number of gates will start to close half an hour before the above times to allow enough time for all gates to be closed at the designated hour.

History

About halfway along the promenade you'll see the Martello Tower, which was constructed in 1804. Fifty of these Martello towers were built along the coast of Ireland. They were built because the British Government were afraid that the French Emperor Napoleon would invade Ireland during the war between England and France (1803–1815).

There were 28 towers built in Dublin, 16 on the Southside and 12 on the Northside, for example in Sutton, Howth and on Dalkey Island and Killiney Hill. Their first name was ‘Mortella’. This was changed to ‘Martello’ over time, so we now have the name ‘Martello Tower’.

All towers were round, and had walls that were stronger on the side facing the sea. They were typically 12 to 15 metres wide and two storeys high, with a single doorway 5 metres off the ground. The door could only be reached by climbing a removable ladder.

The tower at Sandymount was one of the larger ones and had a one-storey building attached. This was used to house up to 20 soldiers and a stores. When it was completed in 1804, a small troop of soldiers were sent to defend it. Two cannons were mounted on top of the tower. Fortunately, the towers were not needed as the expected invasion never happened.

When the Sandymount Martello Tower was not needed for defence any more it was used as an office by the Dublin United Tramways' Company. It later became a restaurant but now nobody lives there. This is the case with most of the other towers.

Nature

Sandymount Promenade is a designated special conservation area. More more information visit the National Parks and Wildlife Service website.

Art

In November 2002 the City Council erected a sculpture entitled "An Cailin Ban" by the Mexican artist Sebastian. The sculpture was donated to the city by the Mexican Government and now stands as a significant focal point at the northern end of Sandymount Promenade.