Category Archives: Co Kilkenny

The ‘horrid lash’: flogging in garrison towns

One December morning in 1845 the ‘loud and agonizing cries of a person apparently in the extremes of bodily torture and anguish’ echoed through the streets of Castlebar, County Mayo. In the town’s barrack a sergeant of the 30th Regiment … Continue reading

Posted in Barracks, Britain, Cavalry, Co Kilkenny, Co Mayo, Co Tipperary, Court Martial, Earl of Cardigan, Flogging, General Haynau, History, Ireland, James Brudenell, Military, O'Donovan Rossa, Prison, Punishment, Slavery | Comments Off on The ‘horrid lash’: flogging in garrison towns

Barrack Street: a contested street name

I have always found the street name ‘Barrack Street’ interesting because it is determinedly, unapologetically, literal. There is a barracks here, so that’s what we will call the street. It is similar to ‘Main Street’, an Irish street name whose … Continue reading

Posted in Barracks, Co Cork, Co Dublin, Co Kilkenny, Co Louth, Co Tipperary, Co Westmeath, Commemoration, Germany, History, Ireland, Military, Place Names, Street Names, Urban | Comments Off on Barrack Street: a contested street name

Barracks and Prisons: Museums in garrison towns

Time for some reflections on the tourist legacy that garrison towns can exploit. This year, I visited Kilkenny and Cork barracks museums, then Spike Island in Cork Harbour. Each visitor attraction tells a unique story, though Spike Island is by … Continue reading

Posted in Barracks, Co Cork, Co Kilkenny, History, Ireland, Military, Prison, Sport, Urban | Comments Off on Barracks and Prisons: Museums in garrison towns