Griffith Barracks

The site of Griffith Barracks was originally known as Grimswoods Nurseries. The first buildings on the site were those of a Remand Prison or Bridewell in 1813. On the reorganisation of the government following Thomas Drummonds appointment in 1835 as Under Secretary, it became a male penitentiary 'The Richmond Pen'; it was also known as 'Richmond Gaol'.

In 1844, it was linked with Catholic Emancipation and the subsequent movement for Repeal of the Act of Union. One of its most famous occupants was the Liberator Daniel O'Connell together with his son John. Many Prominent Irish Nationalist leaders such as William Smith O'Brien, Thomas Francis Meagher (Governor of Montana), James Stephens (Young Ireland) and 'Honest' Tom Steele, were amongst its many famous historical prisoners.

Another distinguish inmate was The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Timothy Daniel Sullivan for publishing The Nation an Irish nationalist newspaper in 1887.

In 1887 it was transferred to the War Department. The additions and extensions were completed by 11 November 1893 but prior to that, in summer 1892 a battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers was in occupation. In this era it was known as Wellington Barracks after the Duke of Wellington.

During the First World War it was used as a recruiting and training centre for many of the Irish soldiers who fought in that war.

1916 Rising

In 1916, the Barracks was attacked during the rising. There is some debate if Eamon De Valera was held prisoner at the site of Richmond Gaol or at Richmond Barracks after the rising.

The change from Wellington Barracks to Griffith Barracks occurred on 15 April 1922 when it became one of the first to be handed over to the Irish Free State and was renamed by the Army Council after Arthur Griffith, following his death.

In 1939 part of the barracks was leased to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association as the site for the National Boxing Stadium which was opened by Frank Aiken.

Buildings

* Daniel O'Connell Building
* Arthur Griffith Building
* Meagher Building
* James Stephens Building
* Richmond Building
* Wellington Building
* Cavalry Buildings
* Stables
* The Guardhouse (Location of Griffith Barracks National School)

Closure

In 1991 the last soldiers left the Barracks and transferred to Cathal Brugha Barracks and the site handed over to the OPW as part of a government programme of closing a number of military installations around the country.

In 1992 the Barracks was sold by the Office of Public Worksand it became the site of Griffith College Dublin. The College has developed on the site with a number of building being refurbished as well as a number of new structures being built.

In 1998 Griffith Barracks National School was opened the Guardhouse building and parade ground site at Griffith Barracks, South Circular Road. It was officially opened by President Mary McAleese in April 1998.

References

* [http://www.griffithbarracks.ie/ - Griffith Barracks Multi Denominational School]
* [http://www.gcd.ie - Griffith College Dublin]
* [http://www.62infantry.com - Reserve Defense Force]