BEST OF 2022: Kilkenny commemorates James Stephens Barracks handover

One hundred years ago Kilkenny’s military barracks was handed over to local members of the IRA by British Forces.

Last Sunday the 3 Infantry Battalion, supported by the people of Kilkenny, commemorated that historic day. Current Officer Commanding 3 Inf Bn, Lt Col Declan Crummey, lead a parade of troops from Kilkenny Castle, through the city centre, to the barracks. They were accompanied by Band of No 1 Brigade. Music was also provided by St. Patrick’s Brass Band, who played for the handover ceremony a century ago.

In another link to the past, Cathaoirleach and Mayor of Kilkenny attended, in honour of Mayor Peter De Loughry, who delivered the oration in 1922.

A wreath laying ceremony took place in the Main Square of the barracks, and there was a weapons and vehicles display, military heritage stalls and light refreshments.

The 3 Infantry Battalion is the oldest army unit of the Irish Defence Forces and traces its foundation back to January 1923, when the unit was located in Donegal.

Soldiers from the unit have served on many UN missions overseas including Congo, Mali, Chad, Lebanon, Syria, Liberia and Kosovo.

The 3 Infantry Battalion will be the lead unit deploying to the UNDOF mission in Syria in April 2022.

The barracks, originally built in 1802 and handed over by British Forces to members of the Kilkenny IRA under Brigadier George O’Dwyer on 7 February 1922, has been a feature of life in Kilkenny for over 220 years, home to generations of soldiers from Ireland’s southeast.

Now home to the 3rd Infantry Battalion, the barracks was renamed as James Stephens Barracks in the 1960s in memory of the Kilkenny born Fenian leader and founder of the IRB.