Palace Barracks
{{Short description|Military installation in Northern Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Palace Barracks
| image = Palace Barracks, Holywood - geograph.org.uk - 6020.jpg
| caption = Palace Barracks
| type = Barracks
| map_type = Northern Ireland
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Northern Ireland
| location = Holywood
| coordinates = {{Coord|54.626|N|05.844|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| ownership = Ministry of Defence
| operator = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| built = 1886
| used = 1886 – present
| architect =
| built_for =
| garrison =
| occupants = 1st Battalion, Ranger Regiment
Holywood Troop, 321 EOD & Search Squadron RLC
}}
Palace Barracks, Holywood is a military installation and the Northern Ireland headquarters of MI5, in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland.
History
Palace Barracks occupies the site of a palatial house known as "Ardtullagh", the home of the Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore until it was bought by the UK War Office in 1886.{{cite web|url=http://culloden-temp.avviohosting.com/upload/docs/cull-history.pdf|title=The History of the Culloden Estate and Spa|accessdate=5 April 2014|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110102625/http://culloden-temp.avviohosting.com/upload/docs/cull-history.pdf|url-status=dead}}
In 1933, five children of Lance Corporal Harry Poole and his wife, Mary, lost their lives from asphyxiation following gas poisoning in the married quarters of the barracks.{{cite web|url=http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.co.uk/archive/23rd%20April%201933.htm|title=Palace Barracks Memorial Garden|accessdate=5 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407094619/http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.co.uk/archive/23rd%20April%201933.htm|archive-date=7 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}
During the roughly three decades of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, the barracks served as the home base for battalions rotating through the province, especially those on a two-year "accompanied" tour with their families. A wide variety of facilities are available for soldiers to use off duty, including a swimming pool, squash courts, saunas, bars and a gymnasium.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/NI-336000-375000/page/20 "Army Base Palace Barracks," Domesday Reloaded, BBC website].
Palace Barracks became the Regimental Headquarters of the Royal Irish Regiment in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.royalirishrangers.co.uk/RIR.htm|title=Royal Irish Regiment|publisher=Royal Irish Rangers|access-date=2 December 2022}}
In March 2010, it was the site of a bombing.[http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/15599530 Real IRA Claims Barracks Car Bomb Blast] Sky News, 12 April 2010. An elderly man was blown off his feet and had to be treated in hospital. The bomb was allegedly driven towards the base in a hijacked taxi.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article7095068.ece|work=The Times|location=London, UK|title=Car bomb explodes near MI5 base in Belfast|first=David|last=Sharrock|date=12 April 2010|access-date=4 May 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the attack.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8614723.stm|work=BBC News|title=Real IRA admits NI MI5 base bomb|date=12 April 2010|access-date=4 May 2010|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826161528/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8614723.stm|url-status=live}}
In 2014, it became the base for the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/families-anger-as-royal-scots-borderers-moved-1-2822232|title=Families' anger as Royal Scots Borderers moved|publisher=The Scotsman|date=7 March 2013|accessdate=2 May 2016}}
In November 2021, 1 SCOTS was disbanded, and reformed to become 1st Battalion, Ranger Regiment.{{Cite web |title=The Royal Regiment of Scotland {{!}} National Army Museum |url=https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/royal-regiment-scotland |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.nam.ac.uk |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/media/14919/adr010310-futuresoldierguide_25nov.pdf|title=Future Soldier Guide|page=70|date=25 November 2021|access-date=9 December 2021}}
Current units
Current units stationed at the camp include:
= British Army =
- 1st Battalion, Ranger Regiment{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/belfast-based-1-scots-to-lead-armys-new-ranger-regiment-41089901.html|title=Belfast-based 1 Scots to lead Army's new Ranger Regiment|date=25 November 2021|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=9 December 2021}}
- Regimental Headquarters, 152 (North Irish) Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps{{cite web|url=http://www.reservesandcadetsni.org.uk/10361/152-north-irish-regiment-rlc-look-back-on-2016/|title=152 (North Irish) Regiment RLC look back on 2016|publisher=Reserve Forces & Cadets Association Northern Ireland|accessdate=24 November 2017}}
- 227 (Belfast) Headquarters Squadron
- 220 (Belfast) Tanker Squadron
- 400 Petroleum Operator Squadron
- Regimental Headquarters, Royal Irish Regiment{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/royal-irish-regiment/|title=Royal Irish Regiment|accessdate=24 February 2021}}
- Holywood Troop, 321 EOD & Search Squadron RLC
= Royal Navy =
= The Security Service =
Palace Barracks is the declared headquarters of MI5 for their investigations into Northern Ireland-related terrorism.{{cite web|url=https://www.mi5.gov.uk/mi5-in-northern-ireland|title=MI5 in Northern Ireland|publisher=The Security Service|accessdate=27 April 2018}}
References
{{reflist}}
Category:1886 establishments in Ireland
Category:2010 in Northern Ireland
Category:Car and truck bombings in Northern Ireland
Category:Terrorism in Northern Ireland
Category:Barracks in Northern Ireland
Category:Military history of County Down
Category:Royal Irish Regiment (1992)
Category:Installations of the British Army
Category:Terrorist incidents in the United Kingdom in 2010
Category:2010s crimes in Northern Ireland
Category:2010 crimes in Ireland
Category:2010 disasters in Ireland