Cathal Brugha Barracks

Detached sixteen-bay single-storey stable, built c.1860. Pitched slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, yellow brick chimneystacks, cast-iron rainwater goods, cast-iron vent pipe, and cut granite coping, with timber bargeboard to front (south) elevation. Squared rubble calp limestone to walls, having cast-iron hooks inserted to front. Square-headed window openings with granite sills, yellow brick block-and-start surrounds, timber sash windows and timber framed windows, some with steel bars. Square-headed door openings having cut granite surrounds, timber battened doors and overlights. Some steel supports flanking door openings. Paired square-headed openings to apices of east and west elevations, having yellow brick and granite surrounds, with timber louvered vents. Brick walls to interior, with cast-iron colonettes and timber battened panels dividing stalls, having niches to walls, steel mangers and concrete floors.

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. 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. This former stables retains much of its early form, fabric and notably, some internal fittings, which add contextual interest. Yellow brick and granite detailing provide textural and tonal variation to the exterior. It is a rare surviving example of the stable buildings which were once found at this former cavalry barracks.