Two Barracks, One Regiment: The links between Columb Barracks and Fort Dunree

Regan Kelly

Regan Kelly

One cannot speak about the modern history of Mullingar without discussing Columb Barracks, which, like many other Garrison towns across Ireland, has a distinct and unique military association.

Columb Barracks was built between 1810 and 1820, and has survived many turbulent times in Irish history, from independence and civil war to the Troubles.

Following independence, Columb Barracks would cement itself as one of the most important military barracks in the country, with significant participation in World War Two defence and, of course, the troubles in later years.

This is in part because it was home to the 4th Field Artillery Regiment, and this regiment played a significant role up until its closure in 2012.

Notably, because of the barracks and the artillery regiment, Mullingar as a whole benefited from a range of associations and connections with other towns and barracks across the country.

One such connection is Fort Dunree, which was a significant military outpost on the far north west of the country in County Donegal.

Fort Dunree was, like Columb Barracks, constructed for defensive purposes, both built around the time of the Napoleonic wars, and as local historian Jason McKevitt puts it:

“Ireland, whether we like it or not, was part of the United Kingdom at that time, and because of this, we were fighting against the French.”

Most likely because of its strategic location, Fort Dunree remained a hugely important location, sitting along Lough Swilly, and not far from Lough Foyle in Co. Derry.

Interestingly, Fort Dunree was one of the Treaty Ports outlined in the Anglo-Irish Treaty, following independence for the 26 counties, and this meant that Fort Dunree would remain in control of the British until 1938, when it was handed back to the new Irish State.

The next year, in 1939, World War II broke out, and Winston Churchill desperately wanted the Treaty Ports back, but Fort Dunree, the Defence Forces and the government remained adamant on holding onto them.

Five years later, the 4th Field Artillery Regiment was formed in Mullingar, and this was the main Artillery Unit for the Western Command, which covered the west coast of Ireland, and this is where our Inishowen connections come in.

Following the disbandment of the Coastal Defence Artillery Unit, the 4th Field Artillery Regiment took control of Fort Dunree on October 13 1952.

Since Fort Dunree remained a hugely important military base, many members of the Defence Forces from Mullingar were sent to Lough Swilly to help manage it, so effectively it became an outpost of Columb Barracks from then on.

To this day, Mullingar has a strong connection with Donegal, as many soldiers would have moved to the town from Inishowen because of Fort Dunree.

Speaking on this, Jason McKevitt said: “Before the troubles, especially in the 50s and 60s, many soldiers from Fort Dunree ended up in Mullingar.

“This is because their main barracks was not in Finner Camp, nor in Castlebar or Galway, but in Mullingar.

“They would have arrived in Mullingar to train, and many of them would have eventually settled down and made a life here.”

The Defence Forces are highly respected across the world for their UN Peacekeeping tours, and of course, members of Columb Barracks are famous for participating in the Siege of Jadotville, which was recently made into a movie.

The link between these two barracks is evident in many ways, even when serving overseas. Three members of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment were awarded for bravery while serving in the Congo in 1962, two stationed in Columb Barracks and one in Fort Dunree.

Speaking on this, Jason McKevitt said: “Two of these soldiers were based in Columb Barracks, Corporal Bobby Allen and Corporal Tom Boyle, but there was a third person.

“That third person was Sergeant Jack Quirke of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment, and he was not based in Columb Barracks, but he was based in Fort Dunree.

“So, you can see that link, that constant link, notwithstanding the 312 kilometres between Fort Dunree and Mullingar.”

Along with all of this, the 4th Field Artillery Regiment and members of the FCA in Mullingar would train at Fort Dunree and as Jason puts it: “If you joined the FCA in Mullingar, there was no doubt that you were being sent to Fort Dunree to train.”

The upkeep and maintenance of Fort Dunree remained the responsibility of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment up until 1990, when Fort Dunree closed for military operations and was converted into a museum.

Commandent Prendergast of Columb Barracks spoke of this connection in The Irish Defence Journal (An Cosantoir) in 1983, saying: “Despite the 194 miles seperating them, and the divided loyalties forced upon these men by different corps and parent units, it is a credit to their training and loyalty to the army that they run such a smooth post.

“The extra tasks imposed on the 4th field artillery regiment in administering this post were a pleasure rather than a chore, because of the excellence and dedication to duty by the NCOs and men at the fort.”

Commandent Prendergast went on to praise the devotion of the men stationed at Fort Dunree when it came to UN duty.

“UN service did not leave the men of Dunree out. Most of the Mortar Troops from the Regiment, which served overseas, included NCOs or men from Fort Dunree.”

For those interested in learning more about Fort Dunree’s fascinating military history, you can do so by visiting fortdunree.com.

Or why not take the trip that was made so often by Columb Barrack’s soldiers.

Fort Dunree is conveniently located close to Buncrana, Malin Head, and Derry City, and is situated along the Wild Atlantic Way.