Castlebar Military Barracks, sometimes referred to as Mitchell Barracks,[1][2][3][4] was a military installation at Rock Square in Castlebar, County Mayo in Ireland. The barracks was closed in 2012 and sold to Mayo County Council with an agreement to lease a portion of the barracks back to the Defence Forces for the use of a reserve unit.[5]
| Castlebar Military Barracks | |
|---|---|
| Castlebar, County Mayo | |
.jpg) Closure ceremony at Castlebar Barracks | |
  Castlebar Military Barracks Location within Ireland | |
| Coordinates | 53°51′18″N 9°17′46″W / 53.855°N 9.296°W |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Mayo County Council |
| Operator |  Irish Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1834 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1834-2012 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 3rd Battalion, the Connaught Rangers |
History edit
The infantry barracks at Castlebar, which were built on the site of an old castle, were completed in 1834.[6] The barracks became the home of the 3rd Battalion, the Connaught Rangers in the late 19th century and it was at Castlebar that the battalion was disbanded in 1901.[7]
A part of barracks was burnt down by the Irish Republican Army in spring 1922.[8] Blocks E/F and J/K/L and the hospital were completely destroyed[9] before the site was secured by the forces of the Irish Free State in summer 1922.[6]
On the night of 28 February 1957 the St. Patricks Boys National School building was burnt down, on 3 April 1957 the school was temporally relocated to blocks G and H of the barracks. A replacement school building was opened on 9 November 1961.[10][11]
The barracks, which latterly were used as a training camp by the Reserve Defence Forces, closed in March 2012 and the site has since been acquired by Mayo County Council.[12]
On 29 January 2016 when workers were probing the ceiling of block A they discovered a human skull.[13]
Although the barracks has sometimes been referred to as "Mitchell Barracks",[14] local media simply refers to it as "Castlebar Military Barracks".[15][16][17]
References edit
- ^ "Funding sought for Mayo military barracks masterplan". Connaught Telegraph.
- ^ "Funding announced for Castlebar Military Barracks master-plan". Mayo News.
- ^ "Castlebar Military Barracks opening to the public for Cruinniu tomorrow". Mid West Radio.
- ^ "Just 44 women joined Defence Forces last year despite new recruitment efforts". Irish Times.
- ^ "Alan Shatter Minister, Department of Justice, Equality and Defence - Dail Debate". Kildarestreet.com. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Historical tour of Castlebar". Mayo, Ireland. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ "3rd Battalion the Connaught Rangers". Hansard. 11 June 1901. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ "Castlebar Infantry Barracks, GORTEENDRUNAGH, Castlebar, MAYO". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Memories of the military barracks in Castlebar". Connaught Telegraph. 20 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "History of Our School". St Patricks Boys National School. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Memories of the military barracks in Castlebar". Connaught Telegraph. 20 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Barracks closures will see 500 redeployed". Irish Times. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ "Skull found at old military barracks". Connaught Telegraph. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Alan Shatter Minister, Department of Justice, Equality and Defence - Dail Debate". Kildarestreet.com. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Funding sought for Mayo military barracks masterplan". Connaught Telegraph.
- ^ "Funding announced for Castlebar Military Barracks master-plan". Mayo News.
- ^ "Castlebar Military Barracks opening to the public for Cruinniu tomorrow". Mid West Radio.