Editing Millmount Fort

{{one source|date=May 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox building
| name                 =Millmount
| native_name          =
| native_name_lang     =
| former_names         =Richmond Barracks
| alternate_names      =Cup and Saucer
| image                =File:Millmount 1.JPG
| image_alt            =
| caption              =
| map_type             =
| map_alt              =
| map_caption          =
| altitude             =
| building_type        =Fortification
| architectural_style  =
| structural_system    =
| cost                 =
| ren_cost             =
| client               =
| owner                =Old Drogheda Society
| current_tenants      =
| landlord             =
| location             =
| address              =Millmount
| location_town        =[[Drogheda]]
| location_country     =[[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
| coordinates          =
| start_date           =12th Century CE 
| completion_date      =
| inauguration_date    =
| renovation_date      =
| demolition_date      =
| destruction_date     =
| height               =
| diameter             =
| antenna_spire        =
| roof                 =
| top_floor            =
| other_dimensions     =
| floor_count          =
| floor_area           =
| seating_type         =
| seating_capacity     =
| elevator_count       =
| main_contractor      =
| architect            =
| architecture_firm    =
| structural_engineer  =
| services_engineer    =
| civil_engineer       =
| other_designers      =
| quantity_surveyor    =
| awards               =
| ren_architect        =
| ren_firm             =
| ren_str_engineer     =
| ren_serv_engineer    =
| ren_civ_engineer     =
| ren_oth_designers    =
| ren_qty_surveyor     =
| ren_awards           =
| website = http://www.millmount.net/
| references           =
}}

'''Millmount''' is a large fortified complex situated on a great mound on the South bank of the [[River Boyne]] located in [[Drogheda]], [[County Louth]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. The fort has played a crucial part in [[Drogheda|Drogheda's]] history and has been a dominant feature from Norman settlement, to [[Siege of Drogheda|Cromwell's invasion]] to the more recent Civil War in 1922, in which the famous Martello tower was shelled and all but destroyed. Today the complex houses the Millmount Museum which houses a wide variety of artifacts of local and national importance. The complex is Drogheda's most dominant feature, clearly visible from all parts of the town. The Martello tower is affectionately known as "The Cup and Saucer" by locals. The whole fort is a national monument and has been designated as [[Drogheda|Drogheda's]] Cultural Quarter.

==History==

It has been fortified in historical times since the early 12th Century CE when the invading Normans built a [[motte and bailey]] on what was probably originally a [[Neolithic]] [[passage grave]] similar to [[Newgrange]]. In Irish cosmology, it is often assumed to be the burial place of [[Amergin Glúingel|Amhairgin mac Míled]], whose name ("Amhair" = singing; "gin" = give birth) indicates that in ancient [[Irish mythology]] he was regarded as the originator of the arts of song, poetry and music. The shamanistic Early Irish poem "The Song of Amhairgin", uttered by him in the story of his entry into Ireland by the [[River Boyne]], was therefore conventionally regarded as the first Irish poem.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/drogheda-museum-millmount/492|title = Visit Drogheda Museum Millmount with Discover Ireland}}</ref>

[[File:Free state troops capture Millmount in Drogheda during the Civil war.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Irish Free State Forces after the shelling of Millmount in 1922]][[Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath|Hugh De Lacy]], one of the [[Normans]] who came to Ireland after [[Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|Strongbow]], built the original fort circa 1172, having been granted the [[Kingdom of Meath]] by [[Henry II of England|Henry II]]. Later a stone [[castle]] was built on the site. This castle formed part of the defences of the town during the [[siege of Drogheda]] during the [[Cromwellian conquest of Ireland]] in 1649. The fort's English defenders attempted to surrender to Parliamentarian troops under [[Oliver Cromwell]] but were massacred when they gave themselves up on 11 September 1649.

The complex was later called Richmond Barracks. Some of the present buildings, in the courtyard, were built circa 1714. After the unrest and rebellions of the 1790s and the [[Acts of Union 1800|Act of Union]] in 1800 the complex was re-fortified and the present tower built.[[File:View of Drogheda from Millmount, by Gabriele Ricciardelli c.1753.jpg|400px|thumb|right|''View of Drogheda from Millmount'' by [[Gabrielle Ricciardelli]] c. 1753. Richmond Barracks can be seen in the centre left.]] The fort suffered considerable damage during the [[Irish Civil War]]. It was occupied by [[Irish Republican Army (1922–69)|Anti-Treaty forces]] and on 4 July 1922, it became the target of shelling by the army of the [[Irish Free State]]. The [[National Army (Ireland)|Free State Forces]] under [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]] had been given extensive support by the [[British Army]] at the express wish of [[Winston Churchill]] who insisted that the Republican Forces be crushed. Using the same British Army 18-pounder artillery piece which had shelled the Republican H.Q. in the [[Four Courts]] in [[Dublin]] some days earlier the [[National Army (Ireland)|Free State Forces]] bombarded Millmount fort for several hours before the [[Irish Republican Army (1922–69)|Republican garrison]] retreated. It has been restored in 2000 and is now open to the public as a military museum.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |url=http://www.louthcoco.ie/en/Publications/Development-Plans/Drogheda-Borough-Council/Draft_Development_Plan_2011-2017/RPS_Structures_List.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-06-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115121/http://www.louthcoco.ie/en/Publications/Development-Plans/Drogheda-Borough-Council/Draft_Development_Plan_2011-2017/RPS_Structures_List.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Museum==

The Museum houses a wide variety of artifacts of local and national importance. Chief amongst the attractions is the unique collection of Guild and Trade Banners. This collection is recognised by Ireland's National Museum as being of special significance and includes the only remaining guild banners in Ireland. Popular exhibits at the Millmount Museum include an authentic 18th century Irish folk kitchen, dairy and laundry, and the Irish History Room which details the major events in [[History of Ireland|Ireland's history]].

==List of structures==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Number
!Structure
!Type
!Year
|-
|
|Town Wall
|Fortification
|c.13thC				
|-	 
|	
|Martello Tower<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13622082|title = Millmount Martello Tower, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH}}</ref>
|Fortification
|1808
|-
|No.1 
|Barrack Building
|Guard house, Arch and Gate<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13622075|title = Millmount, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13622074|title = Millmount, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH}}</ref>
|1831
|-
|No.2
|Barrack Building
|Officers Mess
|1850
|-
|No.3
|Barrack Building<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13622076|title = Millmount Museum, 3 Millmount Square, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH}}</ref>
|Officers Mess
|1850
|-
|No.4<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13622077&print=true|title = Richmond Fort Barracks, 4-10 Millmount Square, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH}}</ref>
|Barrack Building
|Glazed extension to rear of soldiers' billeting house
|1850
|-
|No.5<ref name="auto"/>
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1714
|-
|No.6<ref name="auto"/>
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1714
|-
|No.7<ref name="auto"/>
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1714
|-
|No.8<ref name="auto"/>
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1714
|-
|No.9<ref name="auto"/>
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1714
|-
|No.10<ref name="auto"/>
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1714
|-
|No.11
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1714

|-
|No.12
|Barrack Building<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13622078|title = Richmond Fort Barracks, 12 Millmount Square, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH}}</ref>
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1714
|-
|No.13
|Barrack Building<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13622079&print=true|title = Richmond Fort Barracks, 13 Millmount Square, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH}}</ref>
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1714
|-
|No.14
|Governor's House<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13622080|title = Millmount Museum, 14 Millmount Square, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH}}</ref>
|Governor's House
|Late 18th Century (Reportedly built in conjunction with the adjacent Martello tower in 1808)
|-
|No.15
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1810
|-
|No.16
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|1810
|- 
|16 Mount Saint Oliver<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13622081|title = Richmond Fort Barracks, 16 Mount Saint Oliver, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH}}</ref>
|Barrack Building
|Soldiers' billeting house
|Late 18th Century (Reportedly built in conjunction with the adjacent Martello tower in 1808)
|}<ref name="auto1"/>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" classes="center">
File:Cannon at Millmount, Drogheda - geograph.org.uk - 1079092.jpg|Millmount Fort overlooks the town of Drogheda below
File:Millmount, Drogheda - geograph.org.uk - 539717.jpg|Governor's House
File:86th Regiment of Foot at Millmount - geograph.org.uk - 1079101.jpg|Reenactors ("86th Regiment of Foot") at the fort
File:Royal Artillery at Millmount, Drogheda - geograph.org.uk - 1079120.jpg|Reenactors ("Royal Artillery") at Millmount
File:Cannon fire at Millmount, Drogheda - geograph.org.uk - 1079077.jpg|Cannon fire at Millmount
File:View of drogheda.jpg|View of Drogheda's south side
File:Millmount Fort.jpg|Millmount Fort as viewed from the Visitor Centre
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.droghedamuseum.ie/ Drogheda Museum Millmount website]
*[http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=images&county=LH&regno=13622076 Mill Mount Barracks, Barrack Street, LAGAVOOREN, Drogheda, LOUTH]

[[Category:Museums in County Louth]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Drogheda]]
[[Category:Towers completed in 1808]]
[[Category:Military and war museums in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:History museums in the Republic of Ireland]]