Sir, – The proud military tradition of Kickham Barracks in Clonmel ended on Monday when 150 troops made their final march through the town. This tradition stretches back centuries – local reservists left there for the Crimean, Boer and Great War conflicts. In addition, it was the area depot for the Royal Irish Regiment during the first World War. Two impressive war memorials stand on its grounds to soldiers from that regiment killed during the Afghan, Egyptian and Boer campaigns.
This lineage continued under the Free State Army and Defence Forces to the present day. Mullingar, Cavan and Castlebar – the other barracks to close – share similarly proud histories. It is crucial that the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of our troops lives on. And at least in Clonmel an excellent case can be made for the establishment of a museum on the barrack grounds dedicated to that legacy.
The Government should examine this, and that way at least something can be salvaged from the bleak vista of closures and cuts that now dominate the landscape. – Yours, etc,