Collins Barracks, Cork Explained

Collins Barracks, Cork
Native Name:Dún Uí Choileáin, Corcaigh
Location:Cork, Ireland
Map Type:Ireland Cork Central
Map Alt:Location in Cork City
Type:Military barracks
Operator:Irish Army
Garrison:1st Southern Brigade
Open To Public:Partial (Barracks museum is open to public at certain times)

Collins Barracks (Irish: Dún Uí Choileáin)[1] is a military barracks on the Old Youghal Road on the north side of Cork in Ireland. Originally serving as a British military barracks from the early 19th century, it was handed-over to the Irish military following the Irish War of Independence, and remains the headquarters of the 1st Brigade of the Irish Army.[2] A museum in the barracks is open to the public at selected times.[3]

History

Formation

Originally erected between 1801 and 1806, the barracks' works were completed by Abraham Hargrave to designs by John Gibson.[4] [5] Located in a prominent position on the hills overlooking Cork city and the River Lee, the complex was initially known simply as The Barracks. It was extended in 1849 and renamed to Victoria Barracks, to celebrate a visit by Queen Victoria.[6]

Independence

In the period following the Easter Rising (1916), the Irish nationalist Thomas Kent was executed by firing squad at the barracks. He was the only person outside Dublin, apart from Roger Casement, to be executed for participation following the Rising.[7]

During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), Auxiliary forces based at the barracks were implicated in events surrounding the Burning of Cork.[8] British forces from the barracks were also involved in the executions of several Republican prisoners. On 1 February 1921 Cornelius Murphy was executed[9] and then on 28 April 1921, four Volunteers, Maurice Moore, Thomas Mulcahy, Patrick O'Sullivan and Patrick Ronayne, were executed by firing squad at the barracks,[10] [11] followed by the execution of Patrick Casey a few days later,[12] [13] [14] and of Daniel O'Brien on 16 May 1921.[14] [12]

Following the War of Independence, under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and after housing British forces in the city for more than one hundred years, the barracks complex was handed over to Commandant Sean Murray of the army of the Irish Free State in 1922.[15] Key buildings within the barracks were substantially damaged by retreating Anti-Treaty forces during the Irish Civil War.[16] [17] After this conflict, the barracks was renamed for Michael Collins, the first commander-in-chief of the Free State, and a native of County Cork.[18]

Late 20th century

A garrison for the Southern Command of the Irish Army since the 1920s, the complex was visited by US President John F. Kennedy in 1963.[15]

The barracks now houses the headquarters of 1 Southern Brigade,[2] with permanent and reserve elements of several army corps, including artillery, cavalry, communications, engineering and logistics units.[19]

From 2003 the barracks was subject to a modernisation programme, with the building of new messing facilities, a gymnasium and other works.[20] [21]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Músaem Dhún Uí Choileáin . Irish Defence Forces . military.ie . Irish . 26 May 2019 .
  2. Web site: Army - Organisation - 1st Brigade . The [1st] Brigade Headquarters is located in Collins Barracks, Cork . Defence Forces (Ireland) . military.ie . 31 August 2014 .
  3. Web site: Military Museums - Collins Barracks Cork . Military Heritage of Ireland Trust Limited . 31 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130829033104/http://www.militaryheritage.ie/research/milmuseums/cork/cork.htm . 29 August 2013.
  4. Web site: Dictionary of Irish Architects - Abraham Hargrave - Works . DIA.ie . 31 August 2014 .
  5. Web site: Dictionary of Irish Architects - John Gibson - Works . DIA.ie . 31 August 2014 .
  6. Allegiance and Illusion: Queen Victoria's Irish Visit of 1849. History. James. Loughlin. 87. 288. 1 October 2002. 491–513. 24427468. 10.1111/1468-229X.00238.
  7. News: Mystery of Cork's 1916 patriot may be solved soon. Cork Independent. 27 February 2014. 21 March 2015. 13 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160513154736/http://www.corkindependent.com/20140227/news/mystery-of-corks-1916-patriot-may-be-solved-soon-S80493.html. dead.
  8. Book: The Burning of Cork. White, Gerry. O'Shea, Brendan. 2006. Mercier Press. 978-1-85635-522-3. 111–112.
  9. Web site: Volunteer Captain Cornelius Murphy. The Irish Revolution. 22 January 2019. 2017-04-15.
  10. Book: Carroll, Aideen . 120 . Sean Moylan: Rebel Leader . Mercier Press.
  11. News: The Miami News . Four Irishmen Are Executed by Crown Forces of England . 27 April 1921 .
  12. Book: Enright, Seán . The Trial of Civilians by Military Courts: Ireland 1921 .
  13. Web site: Death of Patrick Casey; 2nd May, 1921; Cork . National Archives of the UK .
  14. Web site: Cork County Gaol, Memorial to Executed IRA Volunteers . 31 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120318230935/http://irishvolunteers.org/2011/05/cork-county-gaol-ira-volunteers-executed-memorial . 18 March 2012.
  15. Web site: Collins Barracks Museum detail (including pictures) . Cork Heritage Open Day . 31 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140828220218/http://www.corkheritageopenday.ie/thebuildings/militarybuildings/buildings/mainbody,10408,en.html . 28 August 2014 . dead .
  16. Book: Irish Volunteer Soldier 1913-23 . 45 . Gerry White, Brendan O'Shea . 2013 . Osprey Publishing . 978-1472801814.
  17. News: Galway Observer . Irregulars Burning Cork — Barracks and Public Buildings in Flames . 12 August 1922 . The flames of burning buildings lit up the sky over Cork City on Thursday night. The irregulars had consigned to the fires all the military and police barracks, Government House, the Victoria Hotel, and other structures in the centre of the city.
  18. Web site: Collins Barracks Museum - Defence Forces Museums - Info Centre - Defence Forces. Defence Forces (Ireland) . military.ie . 14 July 2016.
  19. Web site: Contact Us . Defence Forces (Ireland) . military.ie . https://web.archive.org/web/20161115091409/http://www.military.ie/en/contact-us/ . 15 November 2016 . "Collins Barracks, Cork [...] 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment \ 1 Brigade Cavalry Squadron \ 1 Brigade CIS Company \ 1 Brigade Engineer Company \ 1 Brigade Transport Company \ 1 Brigade Ordnance Company \ 1 Brigade Military Police Company \ Reserve Units: 4 Artillery Battery \ 5 Artillery Battery \ 2 x Cavalry Squadron Troops \ CIS Radio Platoon \ 2 x Transport Platoons \ Military Police Platoon" .
  20. Web site: Department of Defence - Press Release - Military Museum in Collins Barracks, Cork to be Refurbished and Relocated . 11 August 2004 . Department of Defence (Ireland) . 31 August 2014 .
  21. Web site: Department of Defence - Press Release - Speech by Minister for Defence at Opening of New Gymnasium at Collins Barracks, January 2003 . 20 January 2003 . Department of Defence (Ireland) . 31 March 2015 .

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