The Barracks is a beautifully illustrated history of Collins Barracks Cork, from 1801 to the present day, as seen through the eyes of those stationed there. The book includes many previously  unpublished photographs which along with the text demonstrate the influence The Barracks' had on Cork. More than a story of bricks and mortar, it gives the reader an appreciation of two centuries of soldiering, focusing on the 'Cork' soldier and his contribution to Cork's modern identity.

The years of British occupation are covered - including famous personalities who served in the barracks; the fight for freedom is described including the role of the British garrison in the barracks; a detailed description of the Dillons Cross ambush and the attempt to kidnap General Strickland is provided; the handover of the barracks to the IRA and the Civil War are also covered. The book tells the story of the barracks, including the era of the Emergency, the 1950s, 1960s, right up to the present. A detailed series of appendices, covering personnel, is also provided which will appeal to the military historian.

The Barracks paints an evocative picture of Cork and will strike a nostalgic chord with the reader as a host of'old soldiers' flit across the pages. It is a compelling account of a way of life unknown to many and is a remarkable portrait of military life.

DAN HARVEY was born in Cork, 1959. He joined Defence Forces in 1978 and volunteered for three tours of peacekeeping duty in Lebanon 1985, 1987, 1989/90. He is Curator of the Military Museum, Collins Barracks and is involved in developing a heritage programme for the Defences Forces. He is Press Officer for the Southern Command and has contributed many articles to the Defences Forces magazine An Cosantoir.

GERRY WHITE was born  in New York city USA in 1957 but grew up on a small farm in West Cork. Both his father and paternal grandfather served in the American army so he always had an interest in military affairs. In 1974 he enlisted in the army and was sent to Collins Barracks where he has been stationed ever since. In 1985 he was appointed to the committee that established the Collins Barracks Military Museum. He served in Lebanon with UNIFIL on three occasions.