Cork Harbour hosts the headquarters of the
Irish Naval Service. Prior to the transfer of the
treaty ports in 1938, Cork Harbour was an important base for the British
Royal Navy. , (B) Fort Mitchel/Westmoreland, (C)
Fort Meagher/Camden, (D)
Fort Davis/Carlisle, (E)
Fort Templebreedy Some of the first coastal defence fortifications built in Cork Harbour date to the 17th century, and were primarily intended to protect the approaches to Cork city. In the 18th century, fortifications were built on and opposite
Haulbowline Island to protect the anchorage in
Cobh, including
Cove Fort (1743).
Fort Camden and
Fort Carlisle were built at opposite sides of the harbour entrance during the period of the
American War of Independence. overlook the entrance to Cork Harbour. The harbour's military significance increased during the
Napoleonic Wars, when the naval establishment in
Kinsale was transferred to Cork Harbour. The harbour became an important anchorage, which could be used to guard the entrance to the
English Channel and maintain the blockade of France. At this time, the
naval dockyard on Haulbowline Island was constructed, as well as a fort on
Spike Island (later to become Fort Westmoreland) and a number of
Martello Towers and
other fortifications were added or improved around the harbour. The fortifications were developed throughout the 19th century and a further fort,
Fort Templebreedy, was added to the south of Fort Camden at the beginning of the 20th century. At the time of Irish independence, Cork Harbour was included, along with
Berehaven and
Lough Swilly, in a list of British naval establishments that would remain under the control of the
Royal Navy, although the naval dockyard on Haulbowline Island was handed over to the
Irish Free State in 1923. Although the
Royal Navy appreciated the location of Cork Harbour, particularly for submarines, which had a significantly shorter range in the 1920s, maintenance of the fortifications became an issue after Ireland became independent. on
Spike Island protecting the mouth of the harbour The political uncertainty over the future of the treaty ports meant that the British government was not inclined to invest in their upgrade. Also, at the time of their construction, nobody had considered the possibility of air attack and as they were unable to expand, there was no possibility of adding adequate air cover. Finally, if the
Irish Free State was hostile during any conflict, the treaty ports would have to be supplied by sea rather than land, wasting resources. In March 1938, the British government announced that the treaty ports would be handed over unconditionally, and on 11 July 1938, the defences at Cork Harbour were handed over to the Irish military authorities at a ceremony attended by
Taoiseach Éamon de Valera. Since being handed over to the Irish military, most of the military installations have ceased to be used for military purposes. Fort Carlisle was renamed Fort Davis and is used by the Defence Forces for training - but is in a somewhat neglected state. Fort Camden became officially known as Fort Meagher and while no longer in military use, has been subject to renovation by local volunteers and enthusiasts, and can be visited by the public on certain days. The fort was officially renamed as of 11 July 2013 as
Camden Fort Meagher, to account for both its British military and Irish military history. Locally, the two forts are sometimes known as "Camden" and "Carlisle", rather than their official titles. Fort Westmoreland became Fort Mitchell Spike Island prison, and has since ceased use for military or prison purposes. "Spike" was gifted to Cork County Council by the State and has been renovated as a tourist attraction by council workers and volunteers under the supervision of archaeologists. The fortifications on
Haulbowline Island however have been maintained, and are now the headquarters of the
Irish Naval Service. ==Industry==