Location of Kickham Barracks, Clonmel
The Main Gate of Kickham Barracks is located in Dillon Street, Clonmel. Please click on image above to see larger scale map.
A Short History of Kickham Barracks
The Barracks is named after Charles J. Kickham author of the national novel "Knocknagow". Clonmel appears to have had a regular garrison almost from the time of the Cromwellian siege in 1650. The Establishment of 1704, Clonmel is listed as having two horse barracks, but by 1769 they were in an extreme state of disrepair, however in 1780 an Infantry Barracks was built on the Green. In 1805 with Munster under threat of being invaded by Napoleon's army an Artillery Barracks was erected east of the and adjoining the Infantry Barracks. In 1815 a month or so after Waterloo a company of the Norfolk Regiment was transferred to Clonmel from France, the main purpose of this force appears to have been to help the excise men to put an end to the poteen industry which flourished in the locality at the time. In the 1850's the Garrison church was built the same time the infamous Captain Boycott was stationed in Clonmel.
In 1866, Colour Sergeant Charles McCarthy was sentenced to penal servitude in Chatham gaol for his involvement with the Fenian movement he had served with the British Army and was decorated with medals for conspicuous bravery in the Indian Mutiny. He was released twelve years later along with Michael Davitt but broken by the rigours of his sentence died in the arms of Michael Davitt in the presence of Parnell and John Dillon.The main square at Kickham Barracks is named in his honour.
Various Regiments occupied Victoria Barracks as it was known then up until the British hand-over. In 1922 on 09 Feb the Barracks were taken over from the British by the Irish forces . Three Companies of the Yorks and Lancs Regiment comprised the Barrack Garrison at the time, the Devonshires having been subsequently transferred to Waterford. The actual evacuation was simple and informal. At 1330 hrs the Yorks and Lancs, with full kit, and fife & drum band formed up and marched for the last time out of the Barrack gates, under the command of Lieut Colonel Wedgewood DSO, where they proceeded to Clonmel railway station to board a train for Waterford. This was followed by a convoy of Crossely tenders and lorries headed by a twin turreted armoured car flying the Union Jack and headed towards Tipperary Town. At 1430 hrs under Comdt P. Dalton, a Company of the 5 Battalion otherwise known as the Clonmel Battalion numbering about fifty men marched into the recently evacuated Barracks. The National Flag was hoisted and detachments deployed to secure the Barracks.
During the Civil War the Barracks were burned. Portions of it were occupied until 1927 but it was not occupied again until 1941, when rebuilding began and was completed by 1 Fld Coy Corps of Engineers in 1945 with help from the 3 Motor Squadron. The following year saw the arrival of the 13 Southern Battalion, formerly a Reserve unit in 1934, which was re-organised in 1939 as a regular unit. Among the work undertaken was the building of the Rifle Range in Kilcoran during this period. The Clonmel Battalion LDF was also stationed in Kickham Barracks during this time.
1959 the saw the reorganisation of the 13 Infantry Battalion (PDF). The new arrivals were 'B' and Support Coys of 12 Infantry Battalion based in Limerick. During this period the Clonmel Battalion LDF on integration was also disbanded and in its place the 3 Motor Squadron FCA (now 31 Reserve Cavalry Squadron) was re-established with it's Headquarters in Kickham Barracks. The two units continue to occupy the Barracks upholding a continuous tradition of military presence in Clonmel spanning over the last 300 years.
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