7
HISTORY OF BEGGARS BUSH BARRACKS
Irish delegation appointed to negotiate the Anglo-
Irish Treaty was executed here, after a brief trial
in front of the Court Martial on 20th November
1922. The charge was possession of a small
firearm, gifted to Chiders by Michael Collins
himself. He was shot by a firing squad on the
24th of November, while his son, Erskine Hamilton
Childers became the fourth President of Ireland.
The British forces began withdrawing from
Ireland and handing the military barracks and
posts over to the Provisional Government.
On 31 January 1921, Beggars Bush, located on
Haddington Road, Dublin, was the first barracks
formally handed over. The following day, the first
uniformed troops of the National Army, from a
unit known as the Dublin Guard, appeared on the
streets of Dublin. They marched from the Phoenix
Park to Beggars Bush for the official ceremony.
Beggars Bush were the first ever barracks handed
over to the Provisional Government and on the
1st of February, the detachment was formed to
officially move into the new compound. Soon
after 1500 hours, the unit marched into the
main square to relieve the British of their first
military stronghold in Ireland. Richard Mulcahy,
accompanied by Eoin O'Duffy, Chief of Staff,
inspected the men, and presented Captain
O'Daly with a large tricolour flag. The barracks
subsequently became the new headquarters
of the National Army. He addressed the men at
the parade: "You are each responsible for the
achievement by being the first trenchers in the
fight, it is in your own hands to dispel the old spirit
on which the stones of this empire fort was built
and weighed heavy on the soul of Ireland. I know
you will keep up the spirit of patriotism which was
handed to you from the fires of Easter week."
The Guards of Beggars Bush Barracks, Irish Republican Army February 4th 1922
The South Irish Horse Cavalry
The first unit of the regular Free State Army take-over
of Beggars Bush Barracks
