After lying dormant for nearly four decades, the Magazine Fort in Dublin’s Phoenix Park will once again open its doors to the public this summer, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced.
The nearly 300-year-old military structure, which began construction in 1734 under British forces, will be accessible as part of a series of heritage events taking place across Ireland. The fort holds significant historical importance, having been used to store gunpowder and ammunition during British occupation and later becoming a target of notable raids during key moments in Irish history.
“It’s been essentially fenced off because of its state for so long,” said Michael Pidgeon, Green Party councillor for Dublin’s South-West Inner City, who described the fort as an “amazing resource” for Dublin. “It would just be great to have it in a condition that not only is it stabilised in the future, but that people can come and visit it.”
According to The Journal, the Magazine Fort witnessed two significant raids in its history – during the Easter Rising of 1916 and again in December 1939 when the IRA targeted the facility to obtain munitions for weapons imported from America. Following the Anglo-Irish Treaty, the fort was transferred to Irish Defence Forces in 1922 before being demilitarized in the 1980s, after which it gradually fell into disrepair.
Renovation work began in mid-2023 to enhance the visitor experience at this Protected Structure, as designated in the Dublin City Council Development Plan. While most heritage sites in the nationwide program will open immediately, the Magazine Fort will welcome visitors later in the summer.
Families will particularly benefit from the initiative as children under 12 will enjoy free entry to the fort and other heritage sites including Clonmacnoise Monastic Site, Daniel O’Connell House in Kerry, and Ormond Castle in Tipperary.
Minister of State for the OPW, Kevin Moran, encouraged everyone to “explore their local area and take the opportunity to engage with our shared cultural heritage,” noting that these sites contribute significantly to local communities and economies.