The remains of an RIC Barracks at Islandeady, County Mayo. The building dates from the first half of the 19th century when constructed on a plot provided for the purpose by local landlord Sir William Palmer who lived at Castle Lacken, today also a ruin. Of two storeys and three bays, the barracks is a handsome structure, with the focus on its cut-limestone doorcase. There is a small yard to the rear with holding cell. It remained in operation until early 1920 when, like many other remote buildings held by the force, it was abandoned owing to the War of Independence. In June of that year, the barracks was gutted by fire, again a common circumstance, and has remained a ruin ever since.
The barracks at Roscommon Town about which I have written is another example of a building which should be put to an appropriate use. It is a very early 18th century building owned by the County Council and it was never burned.
Indeed, and the same is also true of Longford barracks (see https://theirishaesthete.com/2020/11/14/longford/) and Mullingar barracks (see https://theirishaesthete.com/2020/02/17/mullingar-barracks/) State bodies, whether local authorities or others like the LDA or the HSE, have a shameful record in looking after historic properties for which they are responsible.
Great pictures as always, sweet building. But I can’t help but comment, as so much of the buildings you feature, it has always been Ireland’s conundrum regarding how to preserve, honor and admire architecture/craftsmanship while understanding the often hurtful purpose of the structure- most dramatically these structures. My great uncle was in the RIC: met his wife while in Virginia, served in Collon and then Dundalk during the War for Independence. Unfortunately his service records in London had no clue regarding his forced emigration destination and finding a Daniel Mulligan anywhere in the world has been a challenge! A great aunt’s brother-in-law died of a heart attack while serving in French Park.
Some good news is many of these buildings easily kept their purpose as GARDA stations. The driver I hired in Ireland grew up in a former RIC station his grandfather had bought. The smaller buildings like this one were more easily repurposed. I think this structure’s challenge is location.