Survey Data
Reg No
30409410
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural
Previous Name
Renmore Barracks
Original Use
Barracks
In Use As
Barracks
Date
1860 - 1900
Coordinates
131370, 225102
Date Recorded
19/09/2009
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Military barracks complex, built c.1880. Comprises rectangular walled compound, canted at south-east, with gateways at middle of north and south sides, and containing variety of single and two-storey buildings. Boundary wall of coursed snecked squared rubble limestone having square-plan tower at south-west with blocked gun loops, with gateways comprising square-plan piers of rusticated ashlar limestone with plinths and caps and supporting double-leaf replacement metal gates, and carved limestone wheelguards. Main gateway has flat-roofed single-storey guardhouse with coursed snecked rubble limestone walls and crenellation detail to parapet, square-headed openings with limestone lintels and replacement uPVC windows. Centre of compound is part-tarmac and part-lawned open areas. South-east side of internal buildings formed by seventeen-bay single-storey block having coursed rusticated limestone walls and pitched slate roof, square-headed replacement uPVC windows, centrally placed round-headed doorway with limestone voussoirs and end-placed square-headed doorways, with timber battened doors. Multiple-bay single-storey building at inner east side of south gateway having lean-to slate roof with hipped ends and coursed snecked rubble limestone walls and square-headed openings with limestone lintels, replacement uPVC windows and timber battened door. Various single-storey service blocks and workshops to east side of barracks compound, having pitched slate roofs and coursed rubble limestone walls with square-headed openings, many with timber sliding sash windows. Various recent blocks added outside compound to south-east.
Appraisal
Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa was formerly Renmore Barracks and the regimental headquarters of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, later the Connaught Rangers, before they were disbanded at the foundation of the Irish Free State. The British Army moved out in 1922, and the barracks was subsequently damaged during the Civil War. It was subsequently taking over by the Irish Army and rebuilt by H. McNally & Company of Market Street in 1936 and renamed for Liam Ó Maoilíosa (Liam Mellows), the commander of the Western Division during the 1916 Rising. Now home to the first battalion of the Irish army, it also houses a small military museum. The walled compound is typical of military barracks built during the nineteenth century and its defensive perimeter wall and stout gateways are appropriate for the purpose. Its location, near Rinmore Point and close to an earlier fortification highlight its role in defending the south-eastern approach to Galway City.