1806 – Barracks, Fermoy, Co. Cork

John Anderson, a Scottish merchant, settled in Cork and in 1797 bought the Fermoy estate. He gave sites to the British government to develop a massive barracks. He then built the town of Fermoy in order to meet the needs of the garrison. The East Barracks were designed and built by Abraham Hargrave between 1801 and 1806. The West Barracks and military hospital were added to the complex in 1809. Burnt to the ground by Irish Republican Army irregulars after the British Army left in 1922. All of the internal buildings have been demolished, but the high stone wall and gateways which enclosed the complex is largely intact.

Described by Lewis in 1837 – “In 1797, Government wishing to form a military station in a central part of the south of Ireland, made overtures to the proprietor, who, foreseeing the advantages to be derived from such an establishment, made a free grant of a site for that purpose, and erected temporary barracks on the south side of the river. A handsome and substantial range of buildings, now called the East Barracks, was erected on the north-east side of the bridge in 1806, and in 1809 a second range, called the West Barracks. The former occupy three sides of a quadrangle, 800 feet long and 700 feet wide, with barracks in the rear for cavalry, the whole occupying an area of 16 ½ statute acres, and affording accommodation to 112 officers and 1473 non-commissioned officers and privates of infantry, and to 24 officers and 120 noncommissioned officers and privates of cavalry, with stabling for 112 horses, and other requisite appendages.

The West Barracks are nearly similar in arrangement, but less extensive. The whole establishment is adapted for 14 field officers, 169 officers, and 2816 non-commissioned officers and privates, with stabling for 152 horses. Attached to the West Barracks is an hospital for 42 patients, and at a short distance from the East Barracks is the general military hospital for about 130 patients.”