31
for departure to the Curragh. As the
Barracks was then unoccupied, it is
reported that some opportunistic
locals relieved the barracks of
movable items, such as furniture and
food.
Following the withdrawal of British
troops, anti-Treaty IRA forces, under
the command of General Liam Lynch,
occupied the New Barracks which
became the headquarters for the
local IRA. Over the following months,
the barracks was central to the battle
for Limerick city between pro- and
anti-treaty forces. Under threat from
Free State forces the barracks was
evacuated by the
IRA on 21th July
1921, who burned
it as they left. It
took almost 7
years to restore
the barracks, so
that by 1929 nearly
all buildings, with
the exception of the hospital had been
renovated.
In 1929, New Barracks was renamed
Sarsfield Barracks, after the famous
Irish General Patrick Sarsfield, who as
a senior commander in the Jacobite
army helped to negotiate the 1691
Treaty of Limerick, reportedly signed
on the Treaty Stone in Limerick, to end
the Williamite war in Ireland.
In 1946, following the end of the
Second World War, the army reduced
in size. The 9th, 12th, 15th & 23rd
battalions were amalgamated into
the new 12th Infantry Battalion which
took up station in Sarsfield Barracks,
Limerick where they remain to this day.
In 1946, the 12th Infantry Battalion was
named the 'Premier Battalion' of the
Army (Best Battalion) following several
successes in shooting and sport.
In more recent times, troops from
Sarsfield Barracks served with
distinction, an example of which
include securing Kamina Airbase in
the Congo with the 1 Infantry Group in
1961, during which they came under
sustained ground and air attack. Seven
members of the unit were awarded
Distinguished Service Medals for acts
of notable bravery and service both
at home and abroad.
National Army in New Barracks 1922
Nineteenth century
New Barracks parade
Royal Irish Fusiliers parade circa 1880
THE HISTORY OF SARSFIELD BARRACKS
