Lenan Head Fort

Lenan Head Fort

Lenan Head Fort in Urris is one of the seven forts of the Lough Swilly defences, was built in 1895, initially with three guns. It was refitted in 1911 with two newer Mark X 9.2 inch models. The guns were operational during WW1. The fort includes concrete caponiers in an extensive ditch system that climbs the hill to the headland.

The base was handed over to the Irish Army on 10th October 1938 and was manned by them during the Second World War. The battery was disarmed and the guns scrapped in the 1950s and it has been left to decay ever since.

The landward side is guarded by a massive deep moat, gun ports and a wrecked guardhouse. All that remains of the barracks are the chimney stacks standing straight like soldiers keeping guard over the headland. The bunkers which once held huge 9-inch guns are empty and decaying.

You can find stairs down to the extensive system of underground rooms below where the magazine rooms can still be investigated with care as it is very dark down there with some dangerous holes in the floor.

On the top of the hill, there is a concrete lookout hut with views across the Swilly over to Fanad and its famous lighthouse.

Care should be taken on this site as it is in a very bad state of decay with unexpected holes on the grass where roofs of the underground rooms have collapsed.

There is no car parking at the site and the best place to park is at the junction where the road to the fort meets the road to Lenan pier, making sure you are not blocking either of the roads.

To read an article in the Irish Times about the fort click here