County Louth and Meath: Aiken Barracks and Gormanston Camp

British troops of the Royal Field Artillery departed Dundalk Barracks on 13th April 1922. The barracks was taken over by members of the IRAs 4th Northern Division, under the command of General Frank Aiken. Aiken, however, opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty and on 16th July, shortly after the outbreak of Civil War, the National Army took over the barracks and imprisoned Aiken and his men. Aiken was subsequently rescued from Dundalk prison by anti-Treaty IRA comrades on 27th July, and on 14th August he led an attack on the barracks, freeing many Republican prisoners. Aiken later went on to become Minister for Defence and in September 1986 Dundalk barracks was renamed in his honour.

Since its establishment on 1st September 1973, Aiken Barracks has been the headquarters of the 27th Infantry Battalion. ‘B’ Company of 27th Infantry Battalion are based at Gormanston Camp, County Meath. Gormanston was handed over on 11th October 1922, having been previously occupied by the Royal Flying Corps / Royal Air Force (1917-1920) and Royal Irish Constabulary (1920-1922).