Kickham Barracks

CLONMEL - 18th Royal Irish Depot

View of the Barracks, Clonmel, surrounded by a timber effect frame, with shramrocks in each corner

CLONMEL - 18th Royal Irish Depot

View of the Barracks, Clonmel, surrounded by a timber effect frame, with shramrocks in each corner

Clonmel had been a garrison town for British troops since its surrender to Cromwell in 1650, but a permanent military barracks was not built in the town until 1780. The reason behind its construction was what seemed to be a threat of rebellion from the growing Irish Volunteer movement. In 1805 the garrison was extended with the erection of an artillery barracks, built in anticipation of an invasion by Napoleon and the 1870s saw an enlargement of the existing quarters.

CLONMEL - The Barracks

Façade of the Barracks, Clonmel

CLONMEL - The Barracks

Façade of the Barracks, Clonmel

Enlarge image

World War I & the War of Independence

Victoria Barracks, named in honour of the Queen's coronation in 1837, became the regimental depot for the Royal Irish Regiment in 1882. It was at the Barracks that soldiers from the southeast were trained prior to World War I, and the town of Clonmel lost 50 of its natives from the headquarters during the struggle. During the War of Independence Clonmel was garrisoned by the Devonshire Regiment and from mid-1921, the Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment. In February 1922 the Barracks was taken over by Commandant Dalton, commander of 5th Battalion of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade of the IRA.

The Barracks was renovated in 1945, and it now houses members of the 12th Infantry Battalion.

Source - CJC, "Clonmel & South Tipperary"

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