Collins Barracks, Cork

Originally erected between 1801 and 1806, the barracks' works were completed by Abraham Hargrave to designs by John Gibson.{{cite web|url= http://www.dia.ie/architects/view/815#tab_works |title= Dictionary of Irish Architects - Abraham Hargrave - Works |publisher=DIA.ie |access-date=31 August 2014 }}{{cite web|url= http://www.dia.ie/architects/view/2136#tab_works |title= Dictionary of Irish Architects - John Gibson - Works |publisher=DIA.ie |access-date=31 August 2014 }} Located in a prominent position on the hills overlooking Cork city and the River Lee, the complex was initially known simply as The Barracks. It was extended in 1849 and renamed to Victoria Barracks, to celebrate a visit by Queen Victoria.{{cite journal|title=Allegiance and Illusion: Queen Victoria's Irish Visit of 1849|journal=History|first=James|last=Loughlin|volume=87|issue = 288|date=1 October 2002|pages= 491–513|jstor = 24427468|doi=10.1111/1468-229X.00238}}

In the period following the Easter Rising (1916), the Irish nationalist Thomas Kent was executed by firing squad at the barracks. He was the only person outside Dublin, apart from Roger Casement, to be executed for participation following the Rising.{{cite news|url= http://corkindependent.com/20140227/news/mystery-of-corks-1916-patriot-may-be-solved-soon-S80493.html|title= Mystery of Cork's 1916 patriot may be solved soon|publisher= Cork Independent|date= 27 February 2014|access-date= 21 March 2015|archive-date= 13 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160513154736/http://www.corkindependent.com/20140227/news/mystery-of-corks-1916-patriot-may-be-solved-soon-S80493.html|url-status= dead}}

During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), Auxiliary forces based at the barracks were implicated in events surrounding the Burning of Cork.{{cite book|title=The Burning of Cork|author=White, Gerry|author2=O'Shea, Brendan|year=2006|publisher=Mercier Press|isbn=978-1-85635-522-3|pages=111–112}} British forces from the barracks were also involved in the executions of several Republican prisoners. On 1 February 1921 Cornelius Murphy was executed{{cite web|url=http://theirishrevolution.ie/1921-29/#.XEZlDFz7QdU|title=Volunteer Captain Cornelius Murphy|publisher=The Irish Revolution|access-date=22 January 2019|date=2017-04-15}} and then on 28 April 1921, four Volunteers, Maurice Moore, Thomas Mulcahy, Patrick O'Sullivan and Patrick Ronayne, were executed by firing squad at the barracks,{{cite book | page=120 | title=Sean Moylan: Rebel Leader |first=Aideen |last=Carroll |publisher=Mercier Press}}{{cite news| publisher=The Miami News |title= Four Irishmen Are Executed by Crown Forces of England |date=27 April 1921 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19210427&id=J2IuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gtgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4377,2317664}} followed by the execution of Patrick Casey a few days later,{{cite book | title= The Trial of Civilians by Military Courts: Ireland 1921 |first= Seán |last= Enright |url=http://irishacademicpress.ie/product/the-trial-of-civilians-by-military-courts-ireland-1921/}}{{cite web|url= http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13389992 |publisher=National Archives of the UK |title= Death of Patrick Casey; 2nd May, 1921; Cork }}{{cite web|url= http://irishvolunteers.org/2011/05/cork-county-gaol-ira-volunteers-executed-memorial| title=Cork County Gaol, Memorial to Executed IRA Volunteers |access-date=31 August 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120318230935/http://irishvolunteers.org/2011/05/cork-county-gaol-ira-volunteers-executed-memorial |archive-date= 18 March 2012}} and of Daniel O'Brien on 16 May 1921.

File:Every cloud has a silver lining! (11510934884).jpg

Following the War of Independence, under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and after housing British forces in the city for more than one hundred years, the barracks complex was handed over to Commandant Sean Murray of the army of the Irish Free State in 1922.{{cite web |url= http://www.corkheritageopenday.ie/thebuildings/militarybuildings/buildings/mainbody,10408,en.html |publisher= Cork Heritage Open Day |title= Collins Barracks Museum detail (including pictures) |access-date= 31 August 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140828220218/http://www.corkheritageopenday.ie/thebuildings/militarybuildings/buildings/mainbody,10408,en.html |archive-date= 28 August 2014 |url-status= dead }} Key buildings within the barracks were substantially damaged by retreating Anti-Treaty forces during the Irish Civil War.{{cite book|title=Irish Volunteer Soldier 1913-23 |page=45 | author=Gerry White, Brendan O'Shea |date=2013 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn= 978-1472801814}}{{cite news| publisher= Galway Observer | title= Irregulars Burning Cork — Barracks and Public Buildings in Flames |date=12 August 1922 |quote= The flames of burning buildings lit up the sky over Cork City on Thursday night. The irregulars had consigned to the fires all the military and police barracks, Government House, the Victoria Hotel, and other structures in the centre of the city}} After this conflict, the barracks was renamed for Michael Collins, the first commander-in-chief of the Free State, and a native of County Cork.{{cite web|url=http://www.military.ie/en/info-centre/defence-forces-museums/collins-barracks-museum/|title=Collins Barracks Museum - Defence Forces Museums - Info Centre - Defence Forces|publisher=Defence Forces (Ireland) | website = military.ie |access-date=14 July 2016}}

A garrison for the Southern Command of the Irish Army since the 1920s, the complex was visited by US President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

The barracks now houses the headquarters of 1 Southern Brigade, with permanent and reserve elements of several army corps, including artillery, cavalry, communications, engineering and logistics units.{{cite web|url = http://www.military.ie/en/contact-us/ | title = Contact Us | publisher = Defence Forces (Ireland) | website = military.ie | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161115091409/http://www.military.ie/en/contact-us/ | archive-date = 15 November 2016 |quote = "Collins Barracks, Cork [...] 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment \ 1 Brigade Cavalry Squadron \ 1 Brigade CIS Company \ 1 Brigade Engineer Company \ 1 Brigade Transport Company \ 1 Brigade Ordnance Company \ 1 Brigade Military Police Company \ Reserve Units: 4 Artillery Battery \ 5 Artillery Battery \ 2 x Cavalry Squadron Troops \ CIS Radio Platoon \ 2 x Transport Platoons \ Military Police Platoon" }}

From 2003 the barracks was subject to a modernisation programme, with the building of new messing facilities, a gymnasium and other works.{{cite web|url= http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/A3CB41F29B7F2E9180256EED00554956?OpenDocument |title= Department of Defence - Press Release - Military Museum in Collins Barracks, Cork to be Refurbished and Relocated |date=11 August 2004 |publisher=Department of Defence (Ireland) |access-date=31 August 2014 }}{{cite web|url= http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Speech+ID/848697B9B841537880256CB6005A438D?OpenDocument |title= Department of Defence - Press Release - Speech by Minister for Defence at Opening of New Gymnasium at Collins Barracks, January 2003 |date=20 January 2003 |publisher=Department of Defence (Ireland) |access-date=31 March 2015 }}

{{Commons category}}

• Cork Prison
• List of Irish military installations

{{Reflist}}

• The Barracks: A History of Victoria/Collins Barracks. Dan Harvey & Gerry White. {{ISBN|1-85635-194-7}}

{{Cork City}}

{{Irish Army & Army Reserve}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Buildings and structures in Cork (city)

Category:Irish military bases

Category:Barracks in the Republic of Ireland