DUBLINTIMEMACHINE: Nestled within the Phoenix Parks vast green expanse lies the Magazine Fort. This historic abandoned installation stands as a haunted relic of our colonial military heritage. Construction began in 1734 and ran in stages till 1801. Built by the British Army, this formidable structure was designed to store gunpowder and munitions, playing a crucial role in Dublin’s garrison defences.
The word “magazine” in its name refers to weapons ammunition storage. Its location on St. Thomas Hill offered a strategic vantage point, making it a key military installation for nearly two centuries. Designed by military engineer John Corneille, the fort is a bastion fort built primarily of brick and limestone. It features a dry moat surrounding the main structure, with corner demi-bastions equipped with embrasures for defence. The main enclosure spans approximately 2 acres. The fort includes large barrel-vaulted brick magazine chambers, each covering about 270 square meters.
Over the years, the fort became the site of two significant raids that shaped Dublin. We’ve visited these events in the Dublin Time Machine previously, so I’ll be brief here. On Easter Monday 1916, during the Rising, Irish Volunteers seized control of the fort in an attempt to disrupt British forces. Their heroic efforts to remove large quantities of ammunition were unsuccessful.
Following Irish independence, the fort was transferred to the Irish Defence Forces in 1922 after the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Years later, on the 23rd of December 1939, the IRA launched a daring raid on the fort at the height of World War II. The group managed to steal a considerable amount of explosives.
The Magazine Fort remained a military installation until it was decommissioned in the 1980s, gradually falling into disrepair. For decades, its gates and fortified walls have remained largely closed to the public, with only brief periods of accessibility.
However, there is exciting news for history enthusiasts—the Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced that the Magazine Fort will temporarily reopen to the public this summer. This rare opportunity will allow visitors to step inside one of Dublin’s most fascinating yet often overlooked landmarks, exploring a site that has played a pivotal role in Ireland’s revolutionary past.
About the Author
