Magilligan Martello Tower looks across the narrowest point of Lough Foyle to a similar fortification above Greencastle in Co Donegal. Both were built between 1812 and 1817 and formed part of a series of similar fortifications built around the British Isles to guard against a Napoleonic invasion. The squat circular form with a pronounced batter was thought to be effective against canon fire from ships attempting to access the Lough. A large 24 pound gun was mounted on a track on top of the fort. Inside, are vaulted brickwork rooms and a well. A projecting machiolation protects the door to the rear and houses a small guard room. The Greencastle fort is elliptical rather than circular and is linked to a barrack and a two levels of gun emplacements. Those at the lower level are now partly obscured by a row of holiday apartments. During WWII an anti aircraft gun was mounted on top of the tower. The structure is now a Monument in State Care.
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