Meelick Martello Tower is a

Martello tower Martello towers, sometimes known simply as Martellos, are small defensive forts that were built across the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the French Revolutionary Wars onwards. Most were coastal forts. They stand u ...

constructed on Moran Island in the River Shannon between

Meelick, County Galway :''There are other places called Meelick in County Clare and County Mayo.'' Meelick (''Míleac'' in Irish), also Milic, is a townland on the River Shannon in Ireland. It lies approximately 4 km southeast of Eyrecourt in County Galway.It is ...

and Clonahenoge, County Offaly. The tower was built about 1811 to protect the river at Meelick rapids where there is a fording opportunity. It was feared at the time that the French would invade Ireland from the west coast. Unusually the tower is cam-shaped with three gun emplacements. It reinforced the existing defences at Keelogue Battery on Incherky Island.

Protected Status

The County Offaly Record of Protected Structures lists the tower as a protected structure (ref 38-03).

References

{{reflist Towers completed in 1811 Martello towers River Shannon