Fort Dunree
Lough Swilly has long been of immense historical significance. The
Norsemen and later the Anglo-Normans and the mercenary soldiers,
the Gallowglasses used the Swilly when coming to Ireland.
The Flight of the Earls, O’Neill and O’Donnell into exile took
place from Rathmullan in September 1607. Wolfe Tone was taken under
naval arrest into Buncrana.Near to the spot where Wolfe Tone was
brought ashore in 1798 a small fort was erected to guard against
the possible return of a French invasion fleet.
In the late 19th Century the fort was modernised and elarged with
the building of the, ‘Top Fort’ on Dunree Hill. During World War I
it stood guard whilst Admiral Lord Jellicoe’s fleet anchored in
Lough Swilly prior to engaging the German Navy at the Battle of
Jutland.
Control of the fort
was transferred to the Irish Free State just before World War
II.During World War II Irish forces were stationed at Fort
Dunree to prevent the warring nations violating the country’s
neutrality.
Today Fort Dunree houses a facinating display of military
memorabilia and artefacts as well as an array of large guns from
the 20th Century.The whole area has been developed recently and
there are now marked trails around the fort. The views from the
upper fort are well worth the effort.
The Cache
The cache is a black magnetic conatiner on one of the trails
which leads you through the fort to the original site where the
guns would have been mounted. There is a charge into the museum but
no charge to walk around the fort and retrieve the cache.
Please take care to rehide properly to avoid detection. Bring
Your Own Pen
Visit the Geocaching Ireland discussion
forum HERE