Nostalgia: New block the next step in Cork barracks’ long history

A NEW multimillion-euro accommodation block in Cork’s Collins Barracks was officially opened by Tánaiste and Defence Minister Micheál Martin this week.

The new self-contained block, which has capacity for 41 people, will increase the supply of single living-in (SLI) and troops in training accommodation for enlisted personnel at the site.

Mr Martin said the new facilities are part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to Defence Forces barracks across the country.

Speaking at the opening, Lieutenant Colonel Peadar Ó Catháin, commanding officer of the 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment, described the new accommodation as “timely”, noting that there are two residential career courses currently underway at Collins Barracks and a new recruit platoon due later this year.

Given the opening of the new €4.5m accommodation centre at the barracks, this week’s Nostalgia takes a look back at the prominent military installation which has overlooked Cork for more than 200 years.

The origins of Collins Barracks, the Irish Defence Forces outline in a history of the barracks, “lay in the threat posed to Britain and Ireland from Revolutionary France” which prompted the British Government to increase the number of barracks throughout the British Isles. Barracks construction commenced in 1801 and was finished in 1806.

Since then, the barracks has played a significant role as a staging post during major conflicts including the Napoleonic War, Crimean War, Zulu War, Boer War and the First World War.

The barracks was once named ‘Victoria Barracks’ after Queen Victoria but, following Irish independence, was given the current moniker of Collins Barracks in honour of Michael Collins.

May 18, 1922 marked a significant day in the history of the barracks as British troops evacuated the stronghold which was then handed over to Commandant Sean Murray of Cork No 1 Brigade, IRA.

“The scene presented was indeed memorable and struck the imagination very forcibly,” an article in the then-titled Evening Echo reported of the handover.

“At the top of the square the Union Jack flew from the standard and scattered around were the oval corrugated huts, the ‘bird cages’ where so many young and old Irishmen were housed preparatory to being interned in one or other of the British internment camps throughout the country in the recent troubles.

“Yesterday the contrast was heartening.

“The barracks were empty, the power it symbolised had been broken and within a short time soldiers of the Irish nation would be in possession.

“There were still other incidents to impress the wonderful achievements enacted by virtue of the Treaty signed last December.

“There is a second entrance to the barrack from Rathmore Road and through this at five o’clock came the advance party of the Irish troops.”

In the years since, the garrison has continued to be of key importance in a number of ways.

Since independence it has played a vital role in providing aid to the civil authority when requested to do so.

In 1955, Ireland became a member of the United Nations.

The 32nd Battalion was the first unit of the Defence Forces to serve overseas with the United Nations when it was sent to the Congo in 1960.

Since then, members of the garrison from Collins Barracks have continued to serve abroad on peace support missions.