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By Eoin English
CORK’S Collins Barracks will tomorrow become the first Irish army barracks to open a military museum to the public.
Soldiers were last night putting finishing touches to the building ahead of the opening by Defence Minister Willie O’Dea.
A €500,000 Privates’ Mess will also be opened in the presence of the army’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Jim Sreenan, and Brigadier General Pat Nash, the General Officer Commanding of the First Southern Brigade.
The museum, which cost €400,000 to develop, is located in the old guardroom, said to be the oldest continually occupied building in Cork. It will replace the barrack’s old museum, opened in 1985, which was open by appointment only.
Museum curator, Commandant Dan Harvey, has been pursuing his dream to open a new museum for almost 15 years.
“It is our contribution to Cork 2005. This museum reveals aspects of our national identity,” he said.
The museum features a range of priceless artefacts, including a Saker canon dating from the 1570s.
A room has been dedicated to Michael Collins. It features his desk from 5 Mespil Road that still bears the marks left by British soldiers who forced open its drawers during a raid.
The notebook he had on him when he was shot will also be on display. Its last entry, dated 22/8/’22 and written in pencil while in West Cork, reads: “The people are splendid.”
Another room chronicles the history of Collins Barracks itself, while a room is also dedicated to the army’s overseas role.
It will feature native weapons recovered after the bloody Niemba ambush in the Congo in November 1960 when 11 Irish soldiers were killed.
The museum will be open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am-1pm from March 2. Admission is free.
Meanwhile, the 29 members of the First South Brigade military band will give a special performance to more than 1,000 fifth and sixth class school children from across the city in City Hall this morning.
There is one on the base. It is in the old Martello Tower. However, the person who ran it, retired quite recently, and unfortunately there isn't anyone willing to take it on, so it is remaining close for the moment. I don't know if it was ever open to the general public. Probably only on open days in the base.
It was not open for last years open day.(Very dissapointing,its quite a climb)
From what i hear, the new museum will be opening soon on the base, problem with decision on where to locate within the base, decision will be made shortly from what i hear
look at this months an cosantoir
there is a good museum in Renmore Bks- lot of interesting stuff there
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere***
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Easy know that you were never a recruit in Haulbowline as the tower was a well view sight during punishment runs...up the Diving bay hill ..past the padres house...over the top and back down the other side.Ive forgotten how many times a day we did that run.......wonder how many times I could manage it now!
What ever happened to the National maritime museum in Dunlaoighre...anybody ever been in it!
Covid 19 is not over ....it's still very real..Hand Hygiene, Social Distancing and Masks.. keep safe
Yeah,I was there many years ago. The old church on Haigh terrrace. Don't know about its current status. Among many interesting exhibits, they had a whaler from one of the spanish armadas wrecks,recovered from Bantry Bay. The staff there were very helpful too.
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
Yeah,I was there many years ago. The old church on Haigh terrrace. Don't know about its current status. Among many interesting exhibits, they had a whaler from one of the spanish armadas wrecks,recovered from Bantry Bay. The staff there were very helpful too.
They have just completed the roof and windows on the old church, the museum open during the summer months only, until construction is completed.
hey murph there is a picture of the moggy entering new york harbour many years ago
when you were dreaming of life aboad eithne presently in the museum
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