MARTELLO TOWER AT SANDYMOUNT
Martello towers, those sturdy, cylindrical fortifications that dot the Irish coastline, are remnants of a bygone era, built in the early 19th century to defend against a potential Napoleonic invasion. Today, they stand as historical landmarks, repurposed in various ways. Two such towers exist on the south side of Dublin, each with its unique history and present-day context.
The James Joyce Tower: A Literary Landmark
The more famous of the two is undoubtedly the James Joyce Tower and Museum in Sandycove. This Martello tower, where the celebrated Irish author spent a brief but significant period in 1904, has been transformed into a museum dedicated to his life and works. It's a popular destination for literary enthusiasts and tourists alike, offering insights into Joyce's early years and the genesis of his groundbreaking novel, Ulysses.
The Sandymount Tower: A Case of Mistaken Identity
Further north, in the coastal suburb of Sandymount, stands another Martello tower, often overshadowed by its more illustrious counterpart in Sandycove. This tower, once privately owned and operated as a shop, is now closed. Its modern extension, built in the 1980s with the intention of housing a restaurant, adds a layer of intrigue to its history.
Unfortunately, the Sandymount tower's closure and its proximity to the more renowned James Joyce Tower often lead to confusion among visitors, particularly American tourists. Many mistakenly believe they have arrived at the literary landmark, only to be met with a shuttered building and a sense of bewilderment.
The juxtaposition of the historic tower with the modern extension and the self-cleaning public toilet further adds to the sense of incongruity at the Sandymount site. It's a stark reminder of how the passage of time and the demands of modernity can reshape and repurpose even the most steadfast structures.stance away and south of Dun Laoghaire and the fact that the Sandymount Tower is closed the confusion is compounded.
The James Joyce Tower: A Literary Landmark
The more famous of the two is undoubtedly the James Joyce Tower and Museum in Sandycove. This Martello tower, where the celebrated Irish author spent a brief but significant period in 1904, has been transformed into a museum dedicated to his life and works. It's a popular destination for literary enthusiasts and tourists alike, offering insights into Joyce's early years and the genesis of his groundbreaking novel, Ulysses.
The Sandymount Tower: A Case of Mistaken Identity
Further north, in the coastal suburb of Sandymount, stands another Martello tower, often overshadowed by its more illustrious counterpart in Sandycove. This tower, once privately owned and operated as a shop, is now closed. Its modern extension, built in the 1980s with the intention of housing a restaurant, adds a layer of intrigue to its history.
Unfortunately, the Sandymount tower's closure and its proximity to the more renowned James Joyce Tower often lead to confusion among visitors, particularly American tourists. Many mistakenly believe they have arrived at the literary landmark, only to be met with a shuttered building and a sense of bewilderment.
The juxtaposition of the historic tower with the modern extension and the self-cleaning public toilet further adds to the sense of incongruity at the Sandymount site. It's a stark reminder of how the passage of time and the demands of modernity can reshape and repurpose even the most steadfast structures.stance away and south of Dun Laoghaire and the fact that the Sandymount Tower is closed the confusion is compounded.
MARTELLO TOWER AT SANDYMOUNT