Imagine Fesitival 2023 - Uncovering the stories of Ireland's Army Barracks

Approximately 400 army barracks built between 1690 and 1921 remain on the island of Ireland. A few are still in military use, but the story of this built heritage is largely forgotten.

This event introduces the work of the ‘Our Shared Built Military Heritage’ research project, a HEA North South Research Programme funded collaboration between The Open University and University College Dublin. The project looks to rediscover the history of these barracks and develop a new appreciation for their place within Ireland’s built heritage and culture. In the 1690s, construction of an island wide network of army barracks began across Ireland.

The aim was to maintain a permanent army on the island in both peace and wartime. The model set an example for the rest of the British empire as the use of residential military complexes became clear. However, until now the impact that these barracks and the occupants had on the island has been overlooked.

This online session will introduce the ‘Our Shared Built Military Heritage’ project, a HEA North South Research Programme funded collaboration between The Open University and University College Dublin which aims to map residential army barracks constructed on the island of Ireland between 1690 and 1921.

This event will be led by co-leads on the project, The Open University’s Dr. Suzanne Forbes and University College Dublin’s Dr. Charles Ivar McGrath.

Throughout this event, you will learn about the history of the barracks network on the island, finding out about the ways the team are working to identify and map these sites. You will be taken on a virtual tour of a selection of barracks in Northern Ireland, showcasing a range of maps, plans and impacts to reflect on the current use and status of these built heritage sites.

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