Army set to open barrack museum

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.

The one-hour concert takes place at 10.30am.