Watch House, Rosslarefort, Co. Wexford

Co. Wexford |

Signal & Watch

Watch House, Rosslarefort, Co. Wexford

The Ordnance Survey map of 1839 marks a small rectangular structure at the eastern angle of Rosslare fort, labelled in gothic lettering as a watch house.

By 1903, the same map series recorded it as already in ruins. Today, it is gone entirely, claimed by the sea.

The watch house was part of the 18th-century apparatus attached to Rosslare fort, positioned so that Revenue officers and pilots could sight incoming vessels at the greatest possible distance before they reached the harbour. That practical purpose tells you something about the pressures of the period: smuggling was a serious concern along the Wexford coast, and the pilots who guided ships through local waters needed advance notice of approaching traffic. A modest elevated structure at the fort's angle would have served both groups, giving them a meaningful advantage of time. By the mid-nineteenth century it was standing but deteriorating; by the early twentieth, it was a ruin; and at some point after that, coastal erosion finished what neglect had started. No trace remains above ground or at the waterline.

Rated 0 out of 5

Visitor Notes

Review type for post source and places source type not found
Added by
Picture of Pete F
Pete F
IrishHistory.com is passionate about helping people discover and connect with the rich stories of their local communities.
Please use the form below to submit any photos you may have of Watch House, Rosslarefort, Co. Wexford. We're happy to take any suggested edits you may have too. Please be advised it will take us some time to get to these submissions. Thank you.
Name
Email
Message
Upload images/documents
Maximum file size: 100 MB
If you'd like to add an image or a PDF please do it here.

Advertisement