The Strand Barracks is the former army barracks on Clancy's Strand in Limerick City, Ireland.

1774 to 1800s

The barracks dates from the 18th century, founded in 1774, and lies on the banks of the River Shannon

River Shannon

The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...

. It was a former workhouse called the House of Industry, built to help the destitute of Limerick City.

British Garrison

It later became a British Army Barracks during the 19th century, until it was handed over to the 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...

. Amongst the last British Regiments to leave the Barracks were the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry 1st Battalion and the Royal Army Service Corps consisting of No. 1166 Motor Transport Company and Divisional Supply Column.

Irish Garrison

Under 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 complex was handed over to troops of the Irish Free State on March 1, 1922. Due to escalating tensions between Free State and Republican troops, the barracks were handed over to Republican forces on March 5, as part of a truce agreement agreed between Liam Lynch, Commandant of the Republican Forces, and Commandant General Michael Brennan of the Free State Army. Towards the end of March the barracks was commanded by Connie (Mackey) McNamara

Cornelius McNamara

Cornelius McNamara, better known as Connie Mc Namara, was the Captain of "A" Company Active Service Unit of the Second Battalion Mid-Limerick Brigade in the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence.-Early life:Cornelius McNamara was born in Limerick City, the son of a butcher...

.

At the height of the Irish Civil War, the barracks was besieged by Free State troops under the command of Commandant General Michael Brennan between the July 15 - 20, 1922. In the late evening of July 20, Captain McNamara surrendered control of the barracks to the Free State forces. The bullet holes from the conflict are still visible in the neighbouring houses.

The Free State then used the Barracks as a training Depot, and troops there were used in the Cork and Kerry landings in August 1922. The barracks housed forces of the Free State Army through the remainder of the Irish Civil War and for 13 years was home to units of the Southern Command of the Irish Defence Forces

Irish Defence Forces

The armed forces of Ireland, known as the Defence Forces encompass the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Force.The current Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence forces is His Excellency Michael D Higgins in his role as President of Ireland...

. The Barracks was then handed over to the Limerick Corporation in 1935.

1930s to Present

The barracks was then taken over by Limerick Corporation and became their works yard. It passed out of their hands in 1990, where it has now become the Castle Court complex of two-storey houses and apartments.