An Cosantóir

39 throughout the sixties. On the outbreak of civil disturbance in Northern Ireland in 1969, regular soldiers reoccupied the barracks. Troops from various units in the PDF were attached to form Infantry Groups for service along the border, with the 1 Infantry Group stationed in Dundalk. In September 1973, the 27 Infantry Battalion was established, incorporating troops from the Infantry Group and recruiting locally and nationally. The HQ of 27 Infantry Battalion was established in Dundalk, where it continues to the present day. Throughout its various occupations, the barracks had never been formally named. In 1986, the then Taoiseach, Dr Garrett Fitzgerald TD, officiated at a special ceremony to dedicate the barracks to the memory of the freedom fighter and distinguished statesman, Mr. Frank Aiken. Thus, for the first time in almost 200 years of military use, the barracks acquired a distinct identity of its own. To illustrate and help explain this rich history, Aiken Barracks boasts a small but well-appointed museum that has proven to be a popular attraction amongst historians and military enthusiasts for several years with people travelling from all parts of Ireland as well as holidaymakers from abroad. The visitor's book contains names from the United States & Canada, Australia & New Zealand and almost every country in Europe. The museum holds a number of personal weapons and documents pertaining to Frank Aiken, who commanded the first Free State troops to garrison the barracks on the withdrawal of British forces in April 1922. A number of organised tours from Dundalk Historical Society and Historical Societies from Northern Ireland have visited the museum on several occasions over the years as well as school groups from both sides of the border. The staff of Aiken Bks Museum have built and developed a close working relationship with Louth County Museum, which has proved to be mutually beneficial regarding the sourcing, displaying & maintenance of artefacts. Had it been directed against the British it would have had a larger place in the mythology of the period than even Barry's famous ambush at Kilmichael" (Christopher Todd Andrews 1979) Pro-Treaty Forces under the Command of General Dan Hogan surrounded the town of Dundalk on 17th Aug 1922, cut the local electricity supply and assaulted the Military Barracks and three Police Barracks in the hands of the Anti-Treaty Forces. Days after, Comdt General Aiken held a public meeting in Dundalk on the continuation of hostilities. As a result of this, Comdt General Aiken stood down the 4 Northern Division and eventually, as Chief of Staff of the IRA, called a suspension of operations in the Civil War, culminating in a cease fire and order to dump arms in May of 1923. The barracks was evacuated in 1928 and part of it sold on lease to Rawson's Footwear. In 1934, members of the newly formed Volunteer Force reoccupied the military part of the barracks and it became the home of the Regiment of Oriel. During the Emergency years, the 3, 4 and 5 Cyclist Squadrons were formed and based at Dundalk Barracks. In post-Emergency times, the Barracks was HQ for the local LDF / FCA Battalion. During the 1957 IRA Border Campaign, regular troops were again briefly stationed in Dundalk Barracks before it reverted to a station used by the FCA Battalion and the local Civil Defence Organisation Orginal Gate, now known as the back gate on Barrack Street British Army Sentry Stands Guard just Inside the Old Barrack Street Gate Letter from Free State GHQ granting permission for Dundalk Military Barracks to be taken over on 13 Apr 1922 HISTORY OF AIKEN BARRACKS

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