John Henry Campbell 1757-1828

This fascinating panorama view of Dublin shows Killiney Bay and the Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest 'mountain' in the county.  The streets, towers and steeples of Dublin can be seen in the distance and a label attached to the stretcher provides a map legend, indicating the various landmarks of this panorama. 

From left to right the viewer can see Dalkey Island, Killiney Hill, Kingstown, Pigeon House Fort, Bray Head, Joyce's Martello Tower, Sandymount, Irishtown, Ringsend, Aldborough House, the Custom House, Nelson's Pillar, the Rotunda, Dublin Castle, St. George's Church, Christchurch Cathedral, St. Audonns, St. Michael's Halston Street, the Forecourts, and St. Catherine's Thomas Street. 

Pigeon House Fort and the Martello Tower in Sandycove were part of the coastal defences.  Construction of the Pigeon House Fort began when the army took control of the harbour in 1798.  Although originally constructed for defence against possible French attack it was used for more domestic purposes.  In 1840 its cannon were pointed towards Clontarf to prevent Daniel O'Connell from holding a meeting in favour of the repeal of the Act of Union.  The Martello towers were formidable defences, so called after the French defences on Cape Martello.  James Joyce stayed in one in 1904, an experience which inspired the opening chapter of Ulysses, and the building is now a James Joyce museum.  Further west is Aldborough House.  The house was built in 1796 by Edward Stratford, 2nd Earl of Aldborough and Viscount Amiens.  It cost £40,000 and was one of the most magnificent buildings of the age, so grand that it even contained a theatre.  Next to Aldborough House is the Custom House, built a few years previously in 1791.  Beyond the Custom's House is Nelson's pillar, which was erected in the early nineteenth century in O'Connell Street.  It was designed by Francis Johnson and served as a public viewing platform until it was blown up in 1966.