Department signs contract for €5m renovation of Cork's Collins Barracks

In recent years, a number of old blocks at the barracks have been refurbished to provide accommodation for enlisted personnel. File picture: Larry Cummins

The Department of Defence has pledged €5m to create refurbished accommodation for officers at Collins Barracks in Cork.

In recent years, a number of old blocks at the barracks have been refurbished to provide accommodation for enlisted personnel.

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris confirmed that the Department of Defence has signed a contract for a €5m upgrade of yet another block which when completed will provide accommodation for 20 officers.

The project will be carried out at the barrack’s Block One, which was originally constructed by the British army in 1806. It was last upgraded following a fire in 1922.

Mr Harris said it will require substantial refurbishment to make it suitable for accommodation.

The work will have to adhere to strict restoration criteria as the block is listed as a building of regional importance in the architectural, historical and social categories on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

The scope of works will, therefore, include extensive external and internal works, all of which will ensure that the structure and fabric of the building is preserved.

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In addition, the newly refurbished building will provide a modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation block with an improved energy performance and modern active and passive fire protection measures.

“This development is further evidence of the government’s commitment to invest in modern accommodation for our military personnel in all of our installations. 

"That's reflected in an allocation for capital projects in 2025 of €50m which, when taken together with the Defence Forces’ building maintenance programme and delegated minor projects, means that the overall building programme allocation stands at €62.5m for this year," Mr Harris said.