Gormanston Aerodrome

Gormanston Aerodrome (1917-2002 circa) is a now defunct military aerodrome based between Balbriggan and Drogheda along the East coastline of Ireland in County Meath. The facility is now used solely for air-ground firing and ground military operations. It is still an active barracks of the Irish Army. The base is most easily located as being the site next to the Gormanston railway station.

Early Years

The aerodrome started life as a Royal Flying Corps training depot during the First World War in 1917. On 1 April, 1917 the RFC was amalgamated with the Royal Naval Air Service to form the Royal Air Force. After the end of the War the Aerodrome started to be wound down, so by the end of January, 1920, the remaining aircraft were transferred to Baldonnel Aerodrome and all that were left were a care and maintenance team of 37 men. Cite book|title=Gormanston Camp 1917 – 1986|author=Lt Col. M. O'Malley]

War of Independence

The Irish War of Independence did not have any effect on the winding down of Gormanston, as aircraft were not deemed to be of any use to the guerrilla type of war that was taking place. From August 1920 to August 1922 Gormanston was used by the Royal Irish Constabulary Black and Tans as a sub-depot for the training of new recruits, and as well as a despatch centre to send Black and Tans all over the country. The camp was also used at this time as an internment camp for Republican prisoners. After the Treaty of 14 January 1922, Gormanston became the main demobilisation centre for the Black and Tans. The evacuation of the force was meant to be completed by 31 March, 1922, but due to delays it was August before the last Black and Tans left Gormanston and the barracks was handed over to the Free State Army. This was during the Irish Civil War which started 28 June 1922. Gormanston then became the Headquaters of the Transport Section of the Free State Army. The ceremonial opening of Gormanston was October 8, 1922.

Internment camp

An Internment camp was then built in Gormanston to house the vast numbers of Republican prisoners that were captured by the Free State. The Internment camp was under the command of Commandant Morken. The first prisoners to be interned in the camp arrived on September 9, 1922 and there were about 1,000 Republican prisoners interned there, the internees included Oscar Traynor who was made O/C by the prisoners, and famous names like Tom Barry who escaped 28 September 1922, Sean T O'Kelly, Connie McNamara and author Frank O'Connor.

Although the Civil War ended on May 24, 1923, the Free State continued to hold over 12,000 Republican prisoners as hostages throughout Ireland to ensure hostilities did not break out again. A hunger strike was organised by Republican commandant Oscar Traynor in October 1923 to protest at conditions in the camp as well as continued internment. It was in December 1923 when the last prisoners left the camp. [cite book|title=Not While I Have Ammo|author=Jim Corbett]

World War 2

During World War 2 (known colloquially in Ireland as "The Emergency"), the camp was used as accommodation for up to 2,000 men who were billet in forty Nissan huts and the camp was used for a time as an internment camp for the detention of up to 40 RAF aircrews that had crashed landed or made emergency landing in the state. The RAF prisoners were repatriated in two groups one in 1943 and the remainder in May1944. The airfield was used on an annual basis since 1935, it was not until 1945 that the Air Corps occupied the Aerodrome on a permanent basis. No 1 fighter squadron was stationed there in 1944 and were equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. [Cite|title=Irish Department of Defence speeches 2001]

Post-war Years

After the war the Hurricanes were replaced with Spitfires in 1947, and in 1956 the Fighter Squadron was transferred to Baldonnel Aerodrome, whilst an Air Corps training faculty remained at the base.

Due to the escalation in civil strife in Northern Ireland in the summer of 1969, Gormanston was designated as a refugee centre in August 1969.Large numbers of people mainly from Belfast moved Southwards to escape the violence and were housed in the refugee camp. By the end of October 1971 up to 12,000 persons had passed through the camp.

The airfield was closed officially from 2002, and itss fate is now uncertain, despite the fact it is extensively used for A/G Firing and local army activities. Both runways at the airfield are unserviceable (originally three runways), however it is believed since Gormanston tower and Approach is still active, the Tarmac runway of 810m X 10m is still in a good enough condition to be used in an emergency.

The airfield is often used by model aircraft flyers, although not officially open to the public or civilian activities. Today the AAIU (Air Accident Investigation Unit - Ireland) is based in the original Air Corps hangers on field - the RFC hangers are no longer existent.

Trivia

* The aerodrome was often a great hive of excitement and activity, especially during the summer months when the local holiday camp, "Mosney" would often be alerted to air to sea firing activities before swimming!
* The government has suggested the hangers at Gormanston as the idea location to store their ill-fated Electronic Voting Machines on several occasions, although nothing has been confirmed as yet.

External Links

http://www.conniemackey.com

Sources

* [http://www.defence.ie/website.nsf/document+id/AB9B1A90EA0945818025711F00409BB9 Department For Defence Notice]
* [http://www.gov.ie/debates-01/10may/sect4.htm Government Transcript About Tuskar Rock/AAIU At Gormanston]
* [http://www.defence.ie/website.nsf/Speech+ID/9A75B4DFE516AA6F80256C5D0047627B? DOD White Paper For Gormanston Closure Discussed]

References