An Cosantóir

10 The origins of Kilworth Camp can be traced as far back as 1890, when British forces had a requirement for a training area in the South of the country. The Knockmealdown Mountains were viewed as a suitable location, and the initial location for the training area was in the vicinity of Mount Mellary. Following protestations about the suitability of this location, an alternative location in Kilworth at the western extent of the Knockmealdowns was selected. Kilworth was selected due to its many advantages. In particular, the terrain was considered suitable for military training exercises, the area was close to the main road, as well as having a railway station at Fermoy, already a garrison town. Almost 7,000 acres of land was purchased which involved paying compensation to nine landowners and 102 tenant families. In 1896 the new military training area was officially opened by the British Army at Kilworth, Co. Cork. The Cork examiner gives a report on the opening on the new military facility; 'The new military range on the Kilworth mountains was formally opened on Saturday when the first shot was fired by Mrs. Fryer, wife of General Fryer, Commandant of the Cork District, in the presence of several Officers of the Cork and Fermoy Garrisons, the men of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, and detachments of other Regiments quartered in the Cork District. The opening of the ranges marks an epoch in Military affairs in Ireland, and henceforth Kilworth may be regarded as an important centre for training in the south of Ireland in the science of modern warfare.' The opening ceremony on Saturday was witnessed by the Officers and men of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, who had marched from Cork on the previous day. They were the first unit to make use of the range and from then on, the ranges were in continuous use. One of the main functions of the training ground was for weapons training. For this purpose, two types of range were constructed, five of each type. The first was for target practice, the equivalent of present- day gallery ranges. The second type of range was for 'Team Battle Shooting Practice', intended as training HISTORY OF KILWORTH CAMP HISTORY OF KILWORTH CAMP By Capt Diarmaid Collins Sources: Kilworth & Moorepark British Army Camps from 1896 to 1922. Jordan, Kieran. General Liam Lynch Group photo of 10th Res BN Officers Kilworth Camp August 1934

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