The British authorities in Ireland feared an invasion by Napoleon and so between 1804 and 1815 they built about 50 Martello Towers mostly around the coast.

This tower is one of only two built inland. The other Martello Tower is located at Lusmagh, four miles downstream.

The invasion was expected from the Galway direction as the French would most likely march eastward crossing the Shannon at Banagher or Shannonbridge on their way to Dublin.