WILLIAMSTOWN THE VILLAGE THAT WAS MOVED
THE MARTELLO TOWER AND THE FOOTBRIDGE [IN WILLIAMSTOWN THE VILLAGE THAT WAS MOVED]
The Martello Tower and Footbridge, Blackrock Linear Park
Blackrock Park's landscape reveals several layers of history. A fine example of Victorian landscape design, the park features a bandstand, lake, and pavilion, among other notable elements. The Martello Tower is one of the park's most prominent and historically significant structures.
Tower No. 15, Booterstown (Williamstown)
Originally situated slightly offshore, this tower was surrounded by water to facilitate effective flag signalling to its neighbouring Martello towers at Sandymount and Seapoint. Slightly wider than standard to accommodate two guns, it was built approximately 2 kilometres from its south-eastern neighbour, Tower No. 14 at Seapoint, and 2.4 kilometres from its north-western neighbour, Tower No. 16 at Sandymount. The range of its two 24-pounder cannons, just under 1,700 metres, ensured that, combined with the overlapping firing arcs of its neighbours, any attacking ship could be severely damaged or sunk.
Unlike other south Dublin towers, the Williamstown tower lacks a machicolation for dropping boiling oil on attackers. Instead, it features murder holes above the western doorway, incorporated within the continuous corbelled courses of the parapet. Currently unoccupied, the local authority expressed intentions in 2013 to restore the tower for community use, though this work has not yet commenced.
The tower stands on a large grassy area bordered by a coastal walkway, with the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) line to its east. Unfortunately, it has suffered from both the passage of time and vandalism.
The Dublin to Kingstown railway line, built in 1834, significantly altered the local landscape, including the area around the tower. The track was constructed offshore from Merrion, south-eastwards past Booterstown and Williamstown towards Blackrock. This construction restricted tidal flow, leading to the formation of marshlands between the railway and the shoreline, and around the tower.
When Blackrock Park was created in 1873, this new marsh at Williamstown was filled in. This raised the ground level around the tower, burying its basement. Consequently, the tower now appears shorter and stouter than its original profile. Based on the current height difference between the sand east of the railway and the tower's base, at least 2 to 3 metres of the original above-ground structure is now concealed by soil.
A significant maritime tragedy occurred near the tower on 18 November 1807. During a violent storm, His Majesty’s Packet Prince of Wales, part of a military convoy carrying Irish recruits to fight Napoleon, was driven ashore on rocks near Blackrock House (then the home of Sir John Lees), approximately 1.4 kilometres south-east of the tower. The storm was so severe that winds reportedly reached hurricane force. On the same day, the brig Rochdale, another ship carrying recruits, was driven onto rocks directly beneath the Martello tower at Seapoint. The extreme weather, including driving snow and sleet that reduced visibility to near zero, hampered rescue efforts at both locations. Hundreds of people perished close to the shore.
At Seapoint, it was said that a twelve-foot plank could have saved hundreds of lives. After the storm, 385 mangled and largely unidentifiable bodies were recovered from the shore (265 from the Rochdale and 120 from the Prince of Wales) and buried in Merrion and Carrickbrennan graveyards. The captain and crew of the Prince of Wales abandoned the ship and its doomed passengers, escaping in the ship’s longboat. On 19 November 2007, a commemorative plaque was unveiled on the sea wall beside the Seapoint Martello tower to commemorate this tragic event.
Williamstown: A Tale of Relocation
Williamstown, a small village nestled between Blackrock and Booterstown in Dublin, Ireland, boasts a fascinating history intertwined with the expansion of Blackrock College. Originally situated on the site now occupied by the college, Williamstown faced a unique challenge in the early 20th century.
A Move for Expansion:
Blackrock College, a prestigious educational institution, embarked on a significant expansion project in the early 1900s. This necessitated acquiring additional land, including the area where Williamstown stood. To accommodate the college's growth, the decision was made to relocate the entire village.
A New Home:
In a remarkable feat of community planning, the houses and businesses of Williamstown were carefully dismantled and reconstructed on the opposite side of the Rock Road. This effectively "moved" the entire village to its current location. While the exact timeline is still debated, it is believed this relocation occurred between 1906 and 1907.
A Lost Landmark:
Among the relocated buildings was a local pub, a central gathering place for the community. Sadly, this pub has since disappeared, leaving only historical accounts and fading memories of its presence. However, the houses that were relocated remain standing today, serving as a tangible link to Williamstown's past.
A Legacy of Resilience:
The story of Williamstown's relocation is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the community. It highlights how urban development and institutional growth can reshape landscapes and communities. Despite the upheaval, Williamstown persevered, finding a new home and continuing to thrive.
The Martello Tower and Footbridge, Blackrock Linear Park
Blackrock Park's landscape reveals several layers of history. A fine example of Victorian landscape design, the park features a bandstand, lake, and pavilion, among other notable elements. The Martello Tower is one of the park's most prominent and historically significant structures.
Tower No. 15, Booterstown (Williamstown)
Originally situated slightly offshore, this tower was surrounded by water to facilitate effective flag signalling to its neighbouring Martello towers at Sandymount and Seapoint. Slightly wider than standard to accommodate two guns, it was built approximately 2 kilometres from its south-eastern neighbour, Tower No. 14 at Seapoint, and 2.4 kilometres from its north-western neighbour, Tower No. 16 at Sandymount. The range of its two 24-pounder cannons, just under 1,700 metres, ensured that, combined with the overlapping firing arcs of its neighbours, any attacking ship could be severely damaged or sunk.
Unlike other south Dublin towers, the Williamstown tower lacks a machicolation for dropping boiling oil on attackers. Instead, it features murder holes above the western doorway, incorporated within the continuous corbelled courses of the parapet. Currently unoccupied, the local authority expressed intentions in 2013 to restore the tower for community use, though this work has not yet commenced.
The tower stands on a large grassy area bordered by a coastal walkway, with the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) line to its east. Unfortunately, it has suffered from both the passage of time and vandalism.
The Dublin to Kingstown railway line, built in 1834, significantly altered the local landscape, including the area around the tower. The track was constructed offshore from Merrion, south-eastwards past Booterstown and Williamstown towards Blackrock. This construction restricted tidal flow, leading to the formation of marshlands between the railway and the shoreline, and around the tower.
When Blackrock Park was created in 1873, this new marsh at Williamstown was filled in. This raised the ground level around the tower, burying its basement. Consequently, the tower now appears shorter and stouter than its original profile. Based on the current height difference between the sand east of the railway and the tower's base, at least 2 to 3 metres of the original above-ground structure is now concealed by soil.
A significant maritime tragedy occurred near the tower on 18 November 1807. During a violent storm, His Majesty’s Packet Prince of Wales, part of a military convoy carrying Irish recruits to fight Napoleon, was driven ashore on rocks near Blackrock House (then the home of Sir John Lees), approximately 1.4 kilometres south-east of the tower. The storm was so severe that winds reportedly reached hurricane force. On the same day, the brig Rochdale, another ship carrying recruits, was driven onto rocks directly beneath the Martello tower at Seapoint. The extreme weather, including driving snow and sleet that reduced visibility to near zero, hampered rescue efforts at both locations. Hundreds of people perished close to the shore.
At Seapoint, it was said that a twelve-foot plank could have saved hundreds of lives. After the storm, 385 mangled and largely unidentifiable bodies were recovered from the shore (265 from the Rochdale and 120 from the Prince of Wales) and buried in Merrion and Carrickbrennan graveyards. The captain and crew of the Prince of Wales abandoned the ship and its doomed passengers, escaping in the ship’s longboat. On 19 November 2007, a commemorative plaque was unveiled on the sea wall beside the Seapoint Martello tower to commemorate this tragic event.
Williamstown: A Tale of Relocation
Williamstown, a small village nestled between Blackrock and Booterstown in Dublin, Ireland, boasts a fascinating history intertwined with the expansion of Blackrock College. Originally situated on the site now occupied by the college, Williamstown faced a unique challenge in the early 20th century.
A Move for Expansion:
Blackrock College, a prestigious educational institution, embarked on a significant expansion project in the early 1900s. This necessitated acquiring additional land, including the area where Williamstown stood. To accommodate the college's growth, the decision was made to relocate the entire village.
A New Home:
In a remarkable feat of community planning, the houses and businesses of Williamstown were carefully dismantled and reconstructed on the opposite side of the Rock Road. This effectively "moved" the entire village to its current location. While the exact timeline is still debated, it is believed this relocation occurred between 1906 and 1907.
A Lost Landmark:
Among the relocated buildings was a local pub, a central gathering place for the community. Sadly, this pub has since disappeared, leaving only historical accounts and fading memories of its presence. However, the houses that were relocated remain standing today, serving as a tangible link to Williamstown's past.
A Legacy of Resilience:
The story of Williamstown's relocation is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the community. It highlights how urban development and institutional growth can reshape landscapes and communities. Despite the upheaval, Williamstown persevered, finding a new home and continuing to thrive.
WILLIAMSTOWN THE VILLAGE THAT WAS MOVED