Cathal Brugha Barracks

Detached thirty-four bay two-storey range of offices, built c.1810, having returns to rear (east) elevation, single-storey single-bay porch to front (west) elevation, single-storey wing to north elevation. Hipped slate roof with terracotta ridge cresting and finials, red brick chimneystacks, timber bargeboards and cast-iron rainwater goods. Pitched slate roofs to returns, having cut granite copings. Roughcast rendered walls with granite plinth course. Yellow brick laid in Flemish bond to porch to front, having brick pilasters supporting entablature and cornice, with granite coping and cast-iron balustrade. Square-headed window openings having rendered reveals, masonry sills, tripartite timber sash windows and replacement uPVC windows. Square-headed door openings to front, having cut granite Gibbsian surrounds, timber battened doors and cast-iron bootscrapes.

Portobello Barracks was constructed at the beginning of the nineteenth century as a cavalry barracks. It was taken over by Irish troops in 1922, and became the Headquarters of the National Army, under the leadership of Michael Collins. This building was used by Michael Collins as offices during this period. In 1952, it was renamed after Cathal Brugha, Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army during the War of Independence, and Minister for Defence in the first Dáil. The form and scale of this well-composed building make it a striking presence in the complex.