County Dublin: McKee Barracks, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Casement Aerodrome, St Bricin’s Hospital

Dublin is the county with the largest number of military installations still in use by Óglaigh na hÉireann.

Built between 1888 and 1892, McKee (formerly Marlborough) Barracks is located beside Dublin’s Phoenix Park. It was handed over on 17th December 1922. In 1926 it was renamed after Brigadier Richard ‘Dick’ McKee, a leading member of the Irish Republic Army who was arrested and killed at Dublin Castle during the War of Independence.

Cathal Brugha Barracks is the headquarters of the Army’s 2nd Brigade. Major units based there include 7th Infantry Battalion and 2nd Cavalry Squadron, who provide the Presidential Escort of Honour. It is also the home of the Military Archives and the Defence Forces School of Music. It was handed over on 17th May 1922 and, in 1952, renamed after Cathal Brugha, the first Minister for Defence. The Royal Air Force aerodrome at Baldonnel was taken over by National Army troops on 3rd May 1922. In 1928 the Bremen made the first successful east-west trans-Atlantic flight, departing from here with the Irish Captain James Fitzmaurice as co-pilot. In 1965 it was renamed Casement Aerodrome, in honour of the Irish nationalist Sir Roger Casement, who was executed by the British for treason in 1916. Today it remains the headquarters of the Irish Air Corps.

St Bricin’s Military Hospital, formerly the King George V Hospital, began construction in 1909 and is located in the Arbour Hill area of the city. It was handed over on 17th December 1922.