1922: The Handover of the Barracks
1912 to 1922 was a period of great change in Ireland. The political upheaval accelerated by the 1916 Easter Rising culminated in the 1919-1921 War of Independence. The political outcome of that war was the adoption by democratic majority of the December 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty. A bitter Civil War was waged from June 1922 to May 1923, originating in unresolved questions about Irish partition and the sizeable minority who rejected the Treaty, with atrocities committed by both the anti-Treaty IRA and National Army at sites including Knocknagoshel and Ballyseedy. Despite ending in this tragic conflict, the revolutionary decade resulted in the emergence of an Irish Free State.
The handover of military barracks in 1922 represented a key moment in military, social and national history. The departure of the British garrison – the physical expression of British power in Ireland - represented the end of seven centuries of colonial rule.
Beggars Bush, 1922
A Tradition of Service
15 of the barracks and posts taken over in 1922 remain in operational use by Óglaigh na hÉireann (The Defence Forces).
Beggars Bush was the first barracks handed over, on 31st of January 1922. The following day, the first uniformed soldiers of the new National Army, from a unit called the Dublin Guard, marched from the Phoenix Park, through the streets of Dublin, to Beggar’s Bush for the official ceremony.
The last to be handed over was Royal Barracks in Dublin. Later renamed Collins Barracks, Óglaigh na hÉireann marched out for the last time in 1997 and it became a part of the National Museum of Ireland.
“My unbroken family service in Óglaigh na hÉireann commenced in 1922 with my great grandfather, continued with my grandfather and then my father. Now I serve alongside my sister and two brothers, while my oldest brother is a member of An Garda Síochána. My Dad died in service in 1997, and I feel like Mammy has served too.”
Sgt Shirley Stafford, 103 Sqn, the Air Corps.
“2022 is a very significant year for my family. My great grandfather Gerard Boland and two great grand uncles, Harry and Edmund Boland fought in both the War of Independence and Civil War. My great grandfather subsequently held many ministerial cabinet positions, including Minister for Justice. Gerard and Harry Boland are buried in the Republican Plot.”
Lt Comdr Aonghas O’Neachtáin, Naval Service Ops Command
