Buried in the woods, in the middle of a golf course, on the outskirts of Swords, is a small slice of Ireland’s World War 2 history – and it will now be preserved.
During WW2, the Irish government, concerned at the threat of an invading army, put together a series of stop lines defended by concrete pillboxes.
Built in 1941, these pillboxes were simple concrete structures placed on roads and beaches to defend and slow down an advancing army. Soldiers would be posted inside the pillboxes and fire on enemy troops through the horizonal slits on each side of the structure.
In Swords, the pillboxes were designed to protect what was then Collinstown Aerodrome, and what is now Dublin Airport.
In the middle of Forrest Little Golf Club one of these pillboxes still stands and it will shortly be added to the list of protected structures in the area. Fingal County Council are due to decide on Monday on the additions to the preserved structures lists.
Cllr Ian Carey said:
“It has been fascinating to learn how this really humble structure has such an important history. I think it is crucial to protect these and keep the knowledge of that time in Irish and European history alive.
“It’s also funny to think that the reason this pillbox survived is because if continued to be used as a pump house by the golf course. I wonder if any others have survived through being converted to other uses. If you know of any please get in touch.”
