Collins Barracks (Cork)
Encyclopedia
Collin's Barracks is a military barracks on the Old Youghal Road on the north side of Cork
in Ireland
.
Originally erected between 1801 and 1806, the works were completed by Abraham Hargrave to designs by John Gibson in a prominent position on the hills overlooking the city and the River Lee
.
Initially known simply as The Barracks, the complex was extended in 1849 and renamed to Victoria Barracks, to celebrate a visit by Queen Victoria
.
After housing British forces in the city for more than one hundred years, the barracks were handed over by the British Government to Commandant Sean Murray of the Army of the Irish Free State
in 1922, under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty
(which marked the end of the Irish War of Independence
). The barracks were soon renamed for Michael Collins
, the first commander-in-chief
of the Free State, and a native of County Cork.
A garrison for the Southern Command of the Irish Army
since then, the complex was visited by US President
John F. Kennedy
in 1963.
It features the largest military barracks parade square in Europe, and is home to both regular (PDF) and reserve (RDF
) units from many corps, including the headquarters of 1 Southern Brigade
, Infantry, Artillery, Engineering and Logistics.
From 2004 the barracks have been subject to a modernisation programme. This programme involved building new messing facilities, a gymnasium and workshops, but was put on-hold in August 2011.
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Originally erected between 1801 and 1806, the works were completed by Abraham Hargrave to designs by John Gibson in a prominent position on the hills overlooking the city and the River Lee
River Lee (Ireland)
The Lee is a river in Ireland. It rises in the Shehy Mountains on the western border of County Cork and flows eastwards through Cork City, where it splits in two for a short distance, creating an island on which Cork's city centre is built, and empties into the Celtic Sea at Cork Harbour on the...
.
Initially known simply as The Barracks, the complex was extended in 1849 and renamed to Victoria Barracks, to celebrate a visit by Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
.
After housing British forces in the city for more than one hundred years, the barracks were handed over by the British Government to Commandant Sean Murray of the Army of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
in 1922, under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty
Anglo-Irish Treaty
The Anglo-Irish Treaty , officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of...
(which marked the end of the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
). The barracks were soon renamed for Michael Collins
Michael Collins (Irish leader)
Michael "Mick" Collins was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance and Teachta Dála for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations. Subsequently, he was both Chairman of the...
, the first commander-in-chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of the Free State, and a native of County Cork.
A garrison for the Southern Command of the Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
since then, the complex was visited by US President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
in 1963.
It features the largest military barracks parade square in Europe, and is home to both regular (PDF) and reserve (RDF
Reserve Defence Forces
The Reserve Defence Forces is the title given to the reserve components of the Irish Defence Forces. It comprises the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve ....
) units from many corps, including the headquarters of 1 Southern Brigade
1 Southern Brigade
1 Southern Brigade is a brigade of the Irish Army. Its headquarters are in Cork.The Brigade should not be confused with 1 Southern Reserve Brigade of the Reserve Defence Forces.- Units :* Brigade HQ - Collins Barracks, Cork....
, Infantry, Artillery, Engineering and Logistics.
From 2004 the barracks have been subject to a modernisation programme. This programme involved building new messing facilities, a gymnasium and workshops, but was put on-hold in August 2011.
Further reading
- The Barracks: A History of Victoria/Collins Barracks. Dan Harvey & Gerry White. ISBN 1-85635-194-7