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The Military Barracks in Ballina, County Mayo was built in 1742 on the west bank of the River Moy. The military complex was the first substantive building on the west bank and it was designed as a toehold for the British occupation of the western hinterlands. The Georgian era barracks are typical of the period and is designed around 2 military quadrangles. The smaller square housed the officer’s quarters and also comprised of the main residence of Colonel King’s family. The larger parade quadrangle housed the North Mayo Militia’s enlisted men, stables, and stores. The buildings are the genesis of modern-day Ballina as the main streets are formed around the 4 sides of the Barracks. The urban fabric and public realm quality of these protected historic buildings is quite unique to have survived intact for almost 300 years.
The Military Barracks has a unique place in the bloody history of British Rule in Ireland. In August of 1798, 3 French ships carrying 1000 French troops landed in Killala and on August 24th 1798 took the barracks from the fleeing British Army. Joined by 5000 Irish pike men, General Humbert’s army subsequently defeated the British at Castlebar. An Irish Republic was declared, and John Moore was made the first president of the new Republic. After 6 weeks the British under General Lake defeated the republican army at Ballinamuck, Longford. The French were handed back as prisoners of war while the Irish rebels were slaughtered, and a reign of terror began with all those families who had sided with the 1798 rebellion.
The Barracks were decommissioned in 1838 and the North Mayo Militia moved to Castlebar’s new 19th Century barracks. Ballina’s Military Barracks buildings were subsequently sold off to private commercial interests and the quadrangles were infilled with commercial sheds for industrial use. This remained the case until 2005 when Ballina Town Council (BTC) compulsorily purchased the lands.
Ballina Town Council/ Mayo County Council stripped back and removed the interior industrial building to reveal the original barracks which were miraculously fully intact. The buildings and squares were used for MCC storage, carparks and a large performance area for the town’s many festivals, until late 2021.
The Georgian architecture of the buildings is quite detailed and exquisite. The stone buildings are highlighted and framed with cut limestone arches and large eaves stonework, typical of important military structures of this time. The interiors of the buildings have been altered over time but the imposing presence of the buildings to form important urban public realm spaces is a unique asset to the urban fabric and history of Ballina.
The public realm delivers a sequence of public squares beginning at the Market Square to the west, with a paved plaza, street furniture and a tree lined perimeter definition, and descending downwards into the first quadrangle of the Military Barracks via gentle steps with integrated terrace seating. This square is pedestrianised without parking areas and has become a performance area for concerts and festivals with a covered canopy. It is enhanced by large format cobble lock paving, lighting and stepped terrace seating on three sides and a performance area on the fourth side. The vista continues into the small Officer’s quadrangle and ultimately into the picturesque historic French Lane leading out into the semi-pedestrianised shopping area of Pearse Street.
The essence of the Military Quarter, now rendered to its original specification, is reliant on the restoration of the protected buildings to house a vibrant and innovative hub for young companies to innovate the 21st Century economy of Ballina. The advent of the digital age and fiberoptic cable to Ballina has provided an ideal partnership for the restoration of the buildings and the Innovation Hub. This opportunity allows for the use of the IQ Plaza as a tourist destination and performance area.
IQ Ballina
Market Square,
Ballina,
Co. Mayo, F26 DY9P