The Beach Tower located in Jenkins Lane car park, Waterford is a 15th century crenelated building which is part of the city defences. It was built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Suir and forms a natural defensive position.[1]
| Beach Tower | |
|---|---|
 The Beach Tower was part of the medieval defences of Waterford City in Ireland | |
  Location of Beach Tower 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 |
| Construction started | 15th century |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Stone |
As an observation post, the tower has uninterrupted views both upriver to Granagh Castle and downriver beyond Reginald's Tower. From the city's defensive point of view this was important as attacks from the river occurred occasionally and in particular the fear was of a Spanish landing.[2] It also enabled the observers to keep an eye on the city docks from above.[3]
The tower, which was substantially rebuilt during the early 17th century, was a bastion citadel. It had a rectangular shape with corner bastions which are typical of 17th century forts in Ireland.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ The Ancient and Present State of the County and City of Waterford, By Charles Smith (1746) pp. 169
- ^ "Waterford City's ancient walls, Munster Express".
- ^ Eamon McEneaney, Discover Waterford, (O'Brien Press), 2001, p.103
- ^ "Beach Tower website". Archived from the original on 22 November 2014.
External links
edit- City walls map at discoverwaterfordcity.ie (archived 2015)