Columb Barracks Explained

Columb Barracks
Native Name:DĂșn Cholumb
Type:Barracks
Map Type:Ireland
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within Ireland
Location:Mullingar, Ireland
Operator: Irish Army
Built:1814-1819
Used:1819-2012
Built For:War Office

Columb Barracks was a military installation at Mullingar in Ireland.

History

The barracks, which were originally known as Wellington Barracks after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, were built as part of the response to the Irish Rebellion and completed between 1814 and 1819.[1] The barracks were taken over by forces of the Irish Free State in 1922 and renamed Columb Barracks in Honour of Adjutant Patrick Columb, a member of the Irish Free State Army who had been killed in Mullingar by Anti-Treaty Forces (Irregular IRA) in April 1922.[1] Volunteer Joe Leavy, a native of Milltownpass and a member of the Anti-treaty Forces, was also killed.[2] They became home first to the 4th Field Supply and Transport Company and later to 4th Field Artillery Regiment and 54th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment.[3] Notwithstanding strong objections from Willie Penrose, who resigned as Minister of State for Housing over the issue, and strong local protests, the barracks closed in March 2012.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ireland after Nama: Tipperary and Westmeath Barracks Closures. Building 19th century Ireland. 25 November 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141222061846/https://building19thcenturyireland.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/ireland-after-nama-tipperary-and-westmeath-barracks-closures/. 22 December 2014.
  2. Web site: Westmeath Society unveil new memorial to IRA Volunteer Joe Leavy. 1916 Societies. 31 January 2018.
  3. Web site: End of an era as Columb Barracks, Mullingar closes its gates. 28 March 2012. 25 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194740/http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/mullingar/articles/2012/03/28/4009740-end-of-an-era-as-columb-barracks-mullingar-closes-its-gates. 4 March 2016. dead.
  4. Web site: Penrose quits cabinet over barracks closure. 16 November 2011. RTE News. 25 November 2014.