GALWAY’S MILITARY MUSEUM

Our photograph today was taken in Eyre Square in 1922, and shows the Connaught Rangers parading through the city on their last day in Galway. It is interesting to see them on horseback, on foot and with bicycles. As you can see in the foreground, there is a long line of soldiers standing in front of the crowd, and there is what looks like a temporary reviewing stand on the far side of the street.

The Connaught Rangers were formed in 1793 by Thomas De Burgh afterwards known as the Earl of Clanricarde. They were so-called because they were recruited in the Province. Their motto was “Quis Separabit” and their original uniform was red with yellow facings until the introduction of the universal khaki. They acquired the nickname “The Devil’s Own” for their dauntless bravery. They fought in Flanders, in the West Indies, in India, in South America, in the Peninsular War, in Canada, in the Crimea, in the Boer War, in the First World War. In June, 1920, mutiny broke out amongst the 1^st Battalion at Jullundur and Solan in India following reports from Ireland of Black and Tan atrocities. Two of the mutineers died at Solan while attacking the armoury. 69 men were court-martialled; 14 were sentenced to death, but only the ringleader  Private J. Daly was executed. In July, 1922, the regiment was finally disbanded.

The main depot for the Rangers, and for the Royal Irish Fusiliers was Renmore Barracks. It had originally been built in 1852, but it was inadequate and much of the barracks as we know it today was built in 1880, and it was occupied by the Rangers.  On August 20^th, 1914, the 5^th service battalion were mobilized under the command of Major Jourdain and went off to fight in the Dardanelles. The 1916 Rising made little impact on the barracks ---- it was occupied for a time by a company of the Munster Fusiliers. During the Black & Tan war, The Suffolk Regiment were in occupation together with the Rangers, and the barracks was used as an interrogation & detention centre, with a number of court martials taking place there.

In February 1922, a local battalion of Irish troops took over the barracks. A subsequent fire destroyed much of the original building, and it was rebuilt in 1936. Because Galway was the Capital of the Gaeltacht, it was decided to set up an Irish speaking Unit in Renmore. The nucleus of the Unit was set up in the Curragh in June, 1924, and they moved to Galway on April 22^nd, 1925. “An Céad Cath” has been based at Renmore since. During the war, the unit was 1,000 strong.

Much of the history of the barracks is on display in a very good military museum they have there. It is curated by Sergeant P.J. Maloney, viewing is normally by appointment, but, on Wednesday 24^th and Thursday 25^th of this month there are organised tours at 10.30am and 3pm each day.  Children must be accompanied by an adult and booking is essential. These guided visits are part of an exciting heritage programme put together by the Galway Civic Trust from August 20-27^th. This festival has a number of highlights including  tours, guided walks and lectures about various aspects of our city’s heritage. Programmes of events are available in many locations around town, or you can log on to www.galwaycivictrust.ie . Their phone number is 091 564 946 or you can email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . They are based in the Hall of the Red Earl in the Custom House, Druid Lane.

The same group have just published a calendar for 2012 with the title “Love your City – Love Galway”. It showcases images of Galway by 12 young artists from National Schools in the city and it is a delight, a wonderful gift for any Galwegian, especially those living abroad. They don’t have a price on it, but you are invited to make a contribution of from 3 – 5 euro to the Trust, but really, it is worth a lot more than that, and you are supporting a good cause. Highly recommended.