The Dursey Island Signal Tower at Tilickafina was developed around 1805 as part of a set of defences – including Martello towers – along the Irish coastline.
The signal station is one of over eighty similar structures around the whole coastline of Ireland. The plan to build them represented a major engineering feat of its time. It was undertaken to allow long-distance communication during the Napoleonic Wars, when England feared its Irish territories would be invaded by the French.
The signal towers were military installations, with military staff. Each signal post included a signal mast, a defended tower and a ‘guard house and barrack’. There would probably have also been an equipment store too.
The signal tower on Dursey Island is located at the island’s highest point. The narrow rectangular tower had two storeys, supported by vaulted stonework, with a basement beneath. The tower has been in ruin since the mid-19th century, but it remains an imposing structure.
The signal towers bore a striking resemblance to the Irish ‘tower house’ or castle dating from several hundred years earlier, with its bartizans, machicolation, base wall batter and raised entrance.
The original two-bay three-stage signal tower featured rendered and rubble stone walls with hanging slate, parapet and bartizans to the south-west elevation, as well as to its to north and east corners. A later extension was added to the north-east elevation.
Ireland’s National Inventory of Architectural Heritage describes the signal tower as ‘An integral part of the history of the island … this imposing structure retains its original character and forms a distinctive feature in the landscape’
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How long did the signal messages take to arrive?
It took about four minutes to put up a message on the mast, including time for reading and deciphering the message. A message sent from Sheep’s Head to Cork via 11 towers would have taken about an hour, and a message to Dublin via 33 towers would have taken about three hours. This would depend on daylight and good visibility at all times.
Where were the nearest signal points?
There were signal points on Bere Island and the Sheep’s Head peninsula, and others on the Mizen and at Brow Head – all formed part of a chain that would get messages to Dublin in 3-4 hours.
How did the system work?
The ‘optical telegraph’ system required that each signal station be visible to its counterparts on either side. Sending a message involved raising and lowering a large rectangular flag, a smaller blue pendant and four black balls in various combinations along a system centred on a tall wooden mast. The stations also communicated with ships.
Who would have lived here?
The staff usually comprised a naval lieutenant, a midshipman, two signalmen and a military guard (usually eight to 12 men).
What’s the link between Signal Towers and Martello Towers?
The Martello towers you’ll find dotted around Ireland were also part of the military fortification in the Napoleonic wars.
You’ll find West Cork Martello towers on Garnish Island, and two of four remain on Bere Island Island.
Image by Cathy Cox. Used under a Creative Commons licence.