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R.I.C.
Barracks at Ballybrazil |
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Sound is of Barracks burning |
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Front of Barracks showing arched
windows |
About a half mile from our school is the remains of an
old RIC barracks. RIC stands for Royal Irish
Constabulary and was the police force before the present
Garda Síochána were founded in 1922. Queen Victoria is
supposed to have added the word "Royal" in
1867 for their loyalty in putting down the Fenian
Rising.The barracks is on the land of local man,Jimmy
Murphy.The RIC policemen were mostly catholic but in
time were hated as they were sent to help the bailiffs
evict Irish tenants. This happened in nearby Foley's
Fort in 1887 and Coolroe in 1888.
The building was originally a farm house belonging to a
family called Sheil who were protestant. They sold the
house to Larry Murphy of the shop and he leased it to the
RIC. The RIC then moved from Whitechurch to this
barracks in Ballybrazil. A Sergeant John Meade was
stationed there on the 16th August 1888 as he was
involved in the nearby eviction in Coolroe,
Ballycullane. |
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Rear view of Barracks
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Matty Ryan's father (the Quay New Ross),was a constable
here up until the War of Independence(1919-1921). He
left the force when his friend was killed by the Black
and Tans.This happened when he was on leave at home in
Co.Offaly and was attending mass with his friend who was
blessing himself at the church font when he was shot.
The Barracks was burned down on May12th 1920 at the
height of the War of Independence. 1920 was called "The
year of the Terror" as it was the
year the dreaded Black and Tans came to Ireland. RIC
barracks were burnt by the IRA all over the country and
Martial Law was declared by the English in Wexford and
other counties. Lots of RIC men resigned at this time
when they saw the slaughter of the Tans and also they
would have known the IRA men. Most RIC barracks in the
countryside were being deserted and the RIC moved into
the towns and fortified these barracks in case of attack.
The IRA attacked the barracks looking for guns and to
destroy England's control of Ireland. When a barracks
was abandoned, it too was burned to prevent the RIC from
returning there.
The IRA men involved in the burning were all from New
Ross town.There were thirteen men in all. It happened on
Saturday May 12th 1920. Sergeant Flynn and his family
were living there at the time. The family was made up of
his wife,three sons and a daughter called Rose.
On arrival the IRA first removed all the furniture and
possessions of the Flynn's from the building and were
said to be coureteous to the family.They then sprinkled
petrol onto straw and scattered the straw on the slated
roof. It was then set alight. A military lorry arrived
the next day and took the family and their belongings.
It is believed they went to Limerick. The RIC then
moved to Hart's pub in Campile. The new Garda Síochána
were also based there until the new station was built in
1927. The first sergeant there was Sgt.M.Scanlon and the
last sergeant was Galwayman,Pat Fogarty. It's not
surprising that people still refer to the Garda Station
as the "barracks". |
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Thanks to Tommy Grennan(Ballykerogue)
for the information |
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Please
return to Local History |
