Connolly Barracks (Irish: Dún Ó Conghalaigh) is a former military installation in Longford, Ireland. The barracks was closed in 2009 and was purchased by Longford County Council in 2012.

Connolly Barracks
Dún Ó Conghalaigh
Longford
Connolly Barracks is located in Ireland
Connolly Barracks
Connolly Barracks
Location within Ireland
Coordinates53°43′52″N 7°48′12″W / 53.7312°N 7.8034°W / 53.7312; -7.8034
TypeBarracks
Site information
OperatorRepublic of Ireland Irish Army
Site history
Built1815
Built forWar Office
In use1815-2009

History

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The War Office acquired the site, which originally consisted of a castle and a market house, from Thomas Pakenham, 1st Baron Longford in 1774 and established military facilities there in the late 18th century.[1] The main barrack building was designed by John Behan in the classical style and construction was completed in 1815.[2] The barracks were handed over to the Irish Free State in February 1922 and were renamed Connolly Barracks after Sean Connolly, an Irish republican.[1] The barracks served as the home of the 4th Cavalry Squadron from 1972 until the squadron moved to Custume Barracks on the closure of the barracks in January 2009.[1] The site was purchased by Longford County Council in 2012.[3]

 
A mural previously located in the dining hall depicting the 4th Cavalry Squadron on a border patrol.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Speech by the Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence at the formal hand over of Longford Barracks following its sale to Longford County Council". Department of Defence. 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Sean Connolly Barracks, Sean Connolly Barracks, Church Street, Longford Town, County Longford". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Longford County Council to sell of Connolly Barracks". 6 April 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2016.