pob
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The tunnel from Collins barracks was originally built by the British army for bringing horses from the barracks to the army veterinary and quarantine stables which used to stand between Arbour Hill and St Bricins hospital. To assist the horses on the steep incline, the floor of the tunnel was cobbled.
It was never built as a pedestrian way but was used the odd time to move prisoners to Arbour Hill Prison from the old provost prison which once stood at the North East corner of the barracks (Wolfe Tone was incarcerated in the old Provost prison).Thanks guys for your help and cooperation. LOB, I went to Easons online bookstore and ordered the book you mentioned.
Greg, thanks for the pointer (and again LOB) I followed the link and got the info I wanted. I will find out what was there before the bus garage probably from Thoms directory or old maps.
POBHi, thansk for your interest. Yes, I got info from Irish Military Archives showing lands held by the British War Department and it was listed as “National Shell and Ammunition factory, Dublin”. I also saw from various maps of Dublin in the National Library that it was an iron works prior to this and the War Department turned it into a shell factory for the duration of the Boer War and again at the outbreak of WW1. As far as I know it was handed over to the Provisional Government as a going concern but the New Irish army had no intention of producing munitions there and sold it to Cahills printers sometime around 1923-24
Can you shed any further light on this?
POBI read the history of this barracks before, I’m not 100% sure about the central range but when the barracks was built the Palatine square was completely enclosed with access via archways. The walls were built of rubble masonry with cut stone outer facing. Shortly after the barracks opened it was found that there was not enough fresh air circulating around the barrack square and the rubble masonry stared to smell foul. This resulted in soldiers fainting on the parade ground in summer. The problem was solved by comppletely openeing the four corners of the square. This may have something to do with the central range.
Regards
POB
