Castlebar Military Barracks
Castlebar Military Barracks | |
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Castlebar, County Mayo | |
![]() Closure ceremony at Castlebar Barracks | |
Coordinates | 53°51′18″N 9°17′46″W / 53.855°N 9.296°W |
Type | Barracks |
Site information | |
Owner | Mayo County Council |
Operator | ![]() |
Site history | |
Built | 1834 |
Built for | War Office |
In use | 1834-2012 |
Garrison information | |
Garrison | 3rd Battalion, the Connaught Rangers |
Castlebar Military Barracks was a military installation at Rock Square in Castlebar, County Mayo in Ireland.
History
The infantry barracks at Castlebar, which were built on the site of an old castle, were completed in 1834.[1] 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.[2] A part of barracks was burnt down by the Irish Republican Army in spring 1922 before the site was secured by the forces of the Irish Free State in summer 1922.[1] The barracks, which latterly were being 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.[3]
The Barracks is sometimes referred to colloquially as "Mitchel Barracks", however, this was never the official designation of the site. Local media simply refers to it as "Castlebar Military Barracks".[4][5][6]
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Barracks closures will see 500 redeployed". Irish Times. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ "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.