Mulgrave RIC Barracks, Derrycunnihy Killarney

carchaeologist

I always wondered what the building was, would never have guessed it was an RIC Barracks. I did a bit of research and found out this;
It was situated on a strategically important road across the montains and importantly helped guard the Muckross estate (against poachers etc). It existed as an occupied barracks certainly until 1917 and was probably evacuated in early 1920 (and certainly 'temporarily discontinued' by January 1921); when IRA tactics were to target the small number of men in isolated barracks. The police then withdrew to the safety of larger barracks in the main towns; abandoning large areas of the countryside to the rebels. It was probably burnt or ruined during this period to prevent its re-occupation.
According to John Brewer in The Royal Irish Constabulary, An Oral History the main purpose of the barracks was the prevention of poaching on the Kenmare estate. It was purpose built by the local landlord, The Earl Of Kenmare. Johann Kohl wrote of his visit to Ireland in 1836 and in his book entitled Ireland recalls, "We visited the police station, which was built on the fine new road between Killarney and Kenmare and found a new, handsome, spacious building that at a distance looked like a little castle . . The house contained eight policemen of the constabulary force . . ." There is also a rumor that the stationed men had dug a pit behond the station and covered it with branches in order to trap deer and thus they regularly dined on venison.

This is a pic of it when it was in use,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traphill/2300092341/

And nowadays,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traphill/2300884630/in/photostream/


Anyone else have any pictures or information on it?

Quaderno

Tarquin Blake did a great job on documenting that piece of history:
http://abandonedireland.com/Mulgrave_Barracks.html

carchaeologist

Tarquins stuff is great, hopefully santy will be bringing me his new abandoned mansions book.