Culmore Fort

Culmore Community Partnership Ltd

Repairing and restoring a historic stone fort for community use

Grade B+

Culmore Fort is a stone fort, two storeys high, situated in Culmore Village to the northeast of Derry City. It was originally constructed in 1600-1649, along with earthen ramparts and a ditch, as a strategic defensive site overlooking Lough Foyle. Due to its location, Culmore Fort has witnessed many historic events that have shaped the history of Ireland and the establishment of the city of Derry. Most of the original fort was destroyed in 1688, though the tower and associated earthworks survived. It remained in a ruinous condition until 1780 when it was reconstructed by General Hart. Further repairs were carried out by the resident of Culmore House in 1830 and the fort was referred to as a coastguard station in 1858. The fort is currently closed to the public and is being used as a storage area by Lough Foyle Yacht Club.

Culmore Community Partnership (CCP) is a charity formed for the public benefit of urban and rural regeneration in the Culmore area of Derry City. The group was interested to explore the potential of restoring Culmore Fort and the surrounding land for community use, creating employment and volunteering opportunities and providing new services in a rural area. It also wishes to develop the site more fully to deliver mental health and wellbeing support for young people.

In 2022, the AHF awarded CCP a Village Catalyst Project Viability Grant towards public consultation, a condition survey and concept design to seek indication of the scope of work needed to make Culmore Fort suitable for public use and to identify the potential costs involved. In 2023, the AHF awarded CCP a Project Development Grant for 50% of costs towards Architectural Design, a business plan and other professional fees.

https://culmorehub.org/

AHF Funding

Project Viability Grant (Village Catalyst) - £8,000 (2022)

Project Development Grant (Village Catalyst) - £20,000 (2023)

Photo Credits

Culmore Community Partnership

Thomas Lukassek / Alamy Stock Photo