Phase 1 of former Leitrim RIC barracks redevelopment due to start

Works are due to begin soon on the redevelopment of the old garda barracks in Keshcarrigan, turning it into a community and heritage centre.

Almost three years ago on the 3rd June 2021 Keshcarrigan Development Association submitted an Expression of Interest for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2021 for the retention of the old Garda Barracks for use by the local community as a Community and Heritage Centre.

The application was successful and so began the task of obtaining a Licence from OPW and Leitrim County Council for a lease for the building.

This was the first step towards securing the building for local community use.

January 2024 saw all the hard work, form filling, meetings, conferring etc reach fruition when the association was informed by Leitrim County Council that a licence was signed by Joseph Gilhooley CEO and the Barracks was officially handed to the association and local community.

The Old Barracks was constructed in 1861 as a RIC Barracks and has a chequered history serving the local and wider community.

There was a Courthouse attached to it on one side but this was demolished in the 70s. A listed building ,its façade is of local cut stone.

It contains an onsite cell still in its original condition. The Barracks was attacked in 1920 when an unsuccessful attempt was made to set it on fire …. the charred rafters are still visible in the attic.

It was vacated shortly afterwards by the RIC and subsequently became a Garda Barracks when the Free State was established until it finally closed in 2013.

In 2021 this beautiful building was shortlisted in a competition organised by the Leitrim Observer as one of four favourite buildings in the county.

Plans and future use of the building will include community rooms, working hubs , indoor and outdoor play areas, heritage /museum narrating the history of the building since 1861 , allotments in the large rear garden.

As the building is a listed /protected building it will be sympathetically restored with a few modern touches.

The building will be fully accessible with a lift installed to service the 1st floor.

It has been the view of Keshcarrigan Development Association that the Barracks should be retained for use by the local community as a badly needed Community Centre and meeting point for a rapidly expanding population, as well as a heritage and interpretive centre that can house and preserve the history of this unique village and its surrounding areas.

“We are immensely proud of our inherited heritage and look forward to the restoration of this historic building to its former glory for present and future generations to enjoy as well as providing an essential service for the area,” a spokesperson said.

“Full Planning is now in place, a contractor has been appointed to undertake phase 1 of the project and works will commence on the project in the very near future. And so, a new era begins for this historic building, the local community and future generations!” the spokesperson added.

Pictured in main photo above, are: Contract signing of Phase 1 for the renovation of the old Garda Barracks in Keshcarrigan on Friday last, September 27 are, back row, from left - Cllr Brendan Barry, John O'Donoghue, former Garda in Keshcarrigan; Lynn Reynolds, Shirley O'Regan, Cllr Enda McGloin, Noreen Keaney, Des Foley, Anne Barry and granddaughter Fiadh Keaney and Tom Joe Keaney. Front, from left - Karen and Éabha Keaney, Lorna McCarthy, secretary and Jeanette Conefrey, treasurer Keshcarrigan Dev Assoc.; Noel Smith, Smith Associates Architects & Surveyors, Belturbet and Carrick-on-Shannon; Dermot Keaney, Director Shanraw Construction, Keshcarrigan, main contractor; Patrick McGreevy, Chairperson Keshcarrigan Development Assoc and Geraldine Reynolds, Economic Development Section, LCC. Photos by Willie Donnellan

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