28/10/2022
The Manning, Monning of Fota Martello tower. The site for this tower was chosen by Lieutenant Colonel W. Fenwick, Commanding Officer Royal Engineers, in April 1811. Construction was completed between 1813 and 1815.
It was sited on a spit of land, known as either Monning, or Manning, depending on references. The location is north of Marino Point, where the great Island north channel joins the main part of Cork Harbour.
This Martello tower gained great notoriety in December 1867, when it became the only British Martello tower ever to be captured.
On the the evening of the 26th of December 1867, the tower was manned by just two men, senior gunner Andrew Hickey, gunner John Radcliffe, and their wives and children.
Radcliffe and his family were at tea when a man burst through the first floor entrance and put a revolver to his head. The raid, by five men was led by Irish-American William Lomasney, known among Fenians as Captain Mackey.
The gunners and their families were held hostage, while the gang removed 362 lbs of gunpowder, 22 8 lb cartridges, some bursting cartridges, and two carbines.
The five made their escape, warning the gunners that they had left men in the grounds, who would shoot them if they attempted to leave. The gunners barricaded the door and attempted to signal distress by firing five shots from the roof mounted cannon. It was morning however, before help arrived.
Questions were raised, as to how the rebels had gained access to the 'impregnable' tower, with only a first floor entrance. It was common knowledge, however, that the ladders to these entrances, though supposed to be removed at night, never were. This made it easy, under cover of darkness, for the raiders to gain access. Senior gunner Hickey, was jailed for dereliction of duty, in not locking the door. Gunner Radcliffe, left the army shortly afterwards. @ Wessem
