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Howth-Sutton Lions Club |
Howth Martello Tower
as a Museum & Visitor centre
RESTORATION PROJECT PROMOTED BY LIONS
Howth Martello Tower, overlooking the Harbour and Marina, with Ireland's Eye and Lambay Islands in the background
Martello Tower in Howth as a local Museum
A project close to the hearts of members of Howth/Sutton Lions Club reached the end of its initial phase on June 8th, 2001. The Martello Tower was officially opened as a museum by the Cathaoirleach (Chairman) of Fingal County Council, Councillor Ned Ryan with members of Fingal County Council.
We are very grateful to Lion District Governor (105I) Bill Goggins who attended ceremony and gave an introductory talk on Lionism's concern for the environment and local co-operation, and that Howth/Sutton Lions Club exemplified this.
Lion President Tom Keane,
Lion DG Governor Bill Goggins and Lion Jim Corcoran, Past
Vice District Governor.
Three chains launch one
Lion
Pres.Tom Keane, Local Council
Cathaoirleach
Ned Ryan and Lion
District Governor Bill Goggins.
Lion Pat & Gloria Doonan sheltering from a passing shower at the
launch.
The Cathaoirleach spoke of Fingal County Council's participation in the project, especially in the persons of Michael Galvin, Head of F.C.C. Development Department, and Claire Connots, Community Officer. He reiterated their commitment to the continued success of the museum. (watch for photos soon).
In 1803, Martello Towers were constructed along the east and south coasts of Ireland by the English authorities as a gun fortresses against possible French invasion of Ireland, and hence England by the backdoor. In the event they were never used. A number of these towers are situated near the entrance to Dublin Bay. One of the Martello Towers, at Sandymount, was made famous by James Joyce in Ulysses. The Howth Martello Tower was later used by the telegraph services as a landfall terminus for the cable across the Irish Sea from England to Ireland. With improved communications between both countries, the Howth Martello Tower had been in disuse for about the past 15 or more years.
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Lion President Tom Keane’s address on June 8th 2001
Cathaoirleach (Council Chairman), members and officials of Fingal County Council (F.C.C.), sponsors, Lion District Governor Bill (Goggins), ladies and gentlemen, and fellow Lions. I wish to thank you Cathaoirleach for your kind invitation to today’s presentation and opening of the Tower. As President of H/S Lions, I would like to extend the Club’s thanks to yourself, the officials and staff - engineers, architects, development department - of F.C.C. for the refurbishment of the East Pier Martello Tower.
While Howth/Sutton Lions Club, now 31 years established, is better known for its work with the less privileged in our community, perhaps not so well known is our active interest in civic and environmental initiatives.
In 1995, the Tower Project was initiated by the then Lions Club President, Jim Cocoran, who wished to celebrate our Club's 25th year of community work with an envirornnental project. A proposal by Lion Brendan Clancy to encourage F.C.C. to restore the Martello tower was subsequently adopted by the club.
F.C.C. in the person of its Community Officer, Ms Claire Connors, responded enthusiastically and this has resulted in not only the Tower’s restoration but also the foundation of the Howth Peninsula Heritage Society, which took place as a joint venture.
Within a short time, Lion Paul Smeed and fellow Lion members, had organized sponsors and reached an agreed target of £15,000 as our contribution, thus bringing us to this day, and to the completion of the project. We are happy to see the tower return to community use.
As well as attending the presentation of the cheque, we hope that you all take this opportunity to view the tower and site and see a job well done.
I wish to acknowledge my sincere thanks to Lion Mervin Phelin and his Committee, for their great commitment to the project. As leader of the Lions Environmental Committee, Mervin has pains-takingly nurtured this phase of the project along with officials of the County Council over the past six years. We are especially indebted to them all. Grateful thanks also to the Howth Peninsula Heritage Society for their encouragement and support over the years.
Howth/Sutton Lions Club will continue its interest in the Tower and provide together with F.C.C. and the Howth Peninsula Heritage Society, two members each on the management committee of this unique museum and visitor centre. We hope the tower, which has just seen in the new millennium, will be here to see it out.
Thank you Cathaoirleach, Development Department Head - Michael Galvin, and Community Officer Ms Claire Connors, who has been our link to F.C.C., and to everyone who has participated and helped make this possible. Finally we are grateful to F.C.C. for today’s reception, to Howth Yacht Club for their support and the use of their Club facility.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.
Last updated January 9, 2003.