Kilkenny lecture to hear 'Tales from the Barrack Walls'

Kilkenny Archaeological Society will host its first lecture of 2024, focusing on the James Stephens Barracks, at Rothe House on Wednesday, January 17 at 8pm. 

'Tales from the Barrack Walls 1803-2023' (James Stephens Barracks Kilkenny) will be presented by Commandant (Retd) Larry Scallan.

The barracks and its walls truly contain many stories which have shaped the country and county we live in today. Commandant Scallan will give a quick overview of the background to and the building of the barracks in Kilkenny City between 1801 and 1803. He will then recall a few individual stories as experienced by these men and women over the following 220 years.

Key periods of conflict will include the Crimean war, second Boer war, World War I, the Easter Rising 1916, the Anglo-Irish War, the Irish Civil War, the Emergency 1939-1945. The barracks and the United Nations, the decade of centenaries and the barracks. Stories will include Lt Col Bucannon-Riddle, Company Sgt-Major Frederick Hall, Hervey de Montmorency, Ten sons three mothers - a WW1 tragic outcome.

Admission to the event will be €10 (€8 for KAS members).

Commandant Larry Scallan  joined the defence forces in 1988 and rose through the ranks over a successful and wide-ranging career in Ireland, Europe and several terms with the United Nations in Kosovo and particularly Lebanon. It was fitting that in Lebanon, before he retired, he was Company Commander Battalion Support Group, with rank as Commandant.

Foremost in his varied and extensive military career was his continued connection with James Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny where he finished his career of military service as Commanding Officer, Support Company, 3rd Infantry Battalion. He still maintains contact by hosting regular tours of the barracks, studying its history and lecturing.