Page 37 - Garda Journal Winter 2019

HISTORY | Cork’s Collins Barracks
The Sentinel: A History Of Cork’s Collins Barracks
Defence Forces historian and author, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Harvey, provides a panoramic history of one of the Defence Forces most iconic installations, Collins Barracks in Cork, a bastion which has observed the turbulence and growth of a nation since its inception.
1801 – 1855: CAUSE, CONSTRUCTION AND CONSOLIDATION
Situated on the elevated site of an ancient entrenchment called Rath Mór (Great Fort), the terrain was recognised as strategic from early Christian times. Previously the English garrisoned their occupying force on lower ground at Elisabeth Fort, situated to grant protection in close proximity at the southern end of the then city wall (restored, it is today a site associated with a past of much interest).
Collins Barracks owes its origins to the wars known as the French Revolutionary Wars, which was a conflict between Great Britain and her allies and Revolutionary France.
This was a clash of the Old Regime and the new ideas of the French Revolution; Liberty, Equality & Fraternity. The Barracks was built to house and train the expanded armies that Britain had mobilised to counter Revolutionary France. The area upon which the ‘New Barracks’ was to become established, stretched from Dillon’s Cross to the top of Patrick’s Hill, and in the past was used from time to time as a temporary military encampment. Construction works on the ‘New Barracks’ commenced in 1801 and were completed in 1806. The architect was John Gibson. Occupying 37 acres, it was designed to house 156 Officers, 1,994 men as well as providing stabling for 232 horses. Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar ( one third of his naval compliment at the battle was Irish ) and Wellington’s victory at the Battle of Waterloo ( one fifth of his ‘English’ soldiers were Irish), ended the threat of French invasion and allowed the Barracks, located as it was in this major port city with a large natural harbour
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