Adam Burton Photography

Irishman’s Wall

Belstone Tor, Dartmoor National Park, Devon

Ref: BB043749
Gallery: Dartmoor

There are many rumours surrounding the building and subsequent partial demolition of Irishman’s Wall on Belstone Common.  One of the most plausible is that it was built by a group of hired Irish workers to enclose Belstone Common.  This met with the disapproval of the men of Belstone and nearby Okehampton, who not only had no intention of having their Common enclosed, but also it is said were outraged that the Irish workers chose to roam the moor barefoot.  After waiting for the wall to near completion, the men of Belstone and Okehampton destroyed much of the wall and drove away the Irish men.