Charles Fort (Ireland)

Charles Fort was built on the site of the ruins of an earlier stronghold known as Barry Óg Castle, at Rincurran. The Ringcurran defences had featured prominently during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601. The new fort, which is named after Charles II, was designed by the Surveyor-general Sir William Robinson – architect of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The fort was built between 1677 and 1682 to a design which included elements similar to star fortifications; a layout specifically designed to resist attack by cannon. It became known as the "new fort" – to contrast with James' Fort (the "old fort") which had been built on the other side of Kinsale harbour between 1602 and 1607. and additional works (including the development of internal "citadel" defences) were added through the 18th and 19th centuries. == Architecture ==

Charles Fort is an example of a pentagonally bastioned fort. The five bastions are named, in turn, the "Kinsale" (also known as the "Devil's"), the "Charles", the "Cockpit", the "Flagstaff" and the "North". ==Tourism development==

The complex remained largely derelict for some time, but was named a National Monument of Ireland in 1971. Charles Fort is one of the most visited OPW sites in the region, attracting in excess of 86,000 visitors in 2015. ==Gallery==

File:Kinsale-fortress.panorama.jpg|Fortifications File:Charlesfort (201000489).jpeg|Entrance File:CharlesFortCannon20041204Blorg.JPG|Carronades in the fort File:View from Guard House in Charles Fort.jpg|View from guard house File:Digital Eye-2014-Charles Fort-5.jpg|View of officer's house File:Kinsale 1714 (Moll).jpg | Kinsale Harbour in 1714, before the Royal Navy moved their operations to Cork ==See also==