Connolly Barracks Explained

Connolly Barracks
Native Name:Dún Ó Conghalaigh
Type:Barracks
Map Type:Ireland
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within Ireland
Location:Longford
Operator: Irish Army
Built:1815
Used:1815-2009
Built For:War Office

Connolly Barracks (Irish: Dún Ó Conghalaigh) is a former military installation in Longford, Ireland. The barracks was closed in 2009 and was purchased by Longford County Council in 2012.

History

The War Office acquired the site, which originally consisted of a castle and a market house, from Thomas Pakenham, 1st Baron Longford in 1774 and established military facilities there in the late 18th century.[1] The main barrack building was designed by John Behan in the classical style and construction was completed in 1815.[2] The barracks were handed over to the Irish Free State in February 1922 and were renamed Connolly Barracks after Sean Connolly, an Irish republican.[1] The barracks served as the home of the 4th Cavalry Squadron from 1972 until the squadron moved to Custume Barracks on the closure of the barracks in January 2009.[1] The site was purchased by Longford County Council in 2012.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Speech by the Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence at the formal hand over of Longford Barracks following its sale to Longford County Council. 2012. Department of Defence. 7 January 2016.
  2. Web site: Sean Connolly Barracks, Sean Connolly Barracks, Church Street, Longford Town, County Longford. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. 7 January 2016.
  3. Web site: Longford County Council to sell of Connolly Barracks. 6 April 2016. 7 January 2016.