Barrack — Ordnance Ground

This barrack was built in 1761 following on from problems experienced by the landowner, Usher St. George, in securing tenure for his tenants. The following account of the events leading up to its construction was written in 1761 by the Lord Chief Baron, Edward Willes, in a letter to the Earl of Warwick giving a report of the Connacht circuit. With reference to Iar Connacht he records how 'This whole tract of land is inhabited by the ancient Irish, and has never yet been made amenable to the laws. No sheriff dares go thither to execute any processs, but I believe they now will soon be reduced. Mr Usher St. George* of the county of Galway has a large tract of land of Eyre Connaught, the tenants of which paid him some small acknowledgements, but their leases being out, and refusing to renew with him (for O'Flahtery [Morgan O'Flaherty] one the Irish chiefs claimed the land) he brought ejectement and recovered it but how to get possession was the query. The sheriff and his posse were soon routed. Government were applied to to grant the assistance of the army, which they did and 3 companies of foot supported the sheriff in giving possession to Mr St George which they did without opposition, but so soon as the military returned to their barracks O'Flaherty's people drove away the persons who were left in possession, burnt down the houses and laid the estate waste. The Duke of Bedford [the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1755-61] very properly thought this a serious affair and that it was high time to get [the] better of this insolence to justice. He ordered a barrack to be built about 8 or 10 miles up the country, [and] has directed a good road to be made from Galway to the barrack. It is now building & 100 men from the garrison of Galway march there by turn every week to protect the workmen. When some other roads are made through the different parts of Eyre Connaught, so that the natives may be easily come at, I think it will be subdued . . .' (Kelly 1990, 86-7). James Kelly (ed.) 1990 The letters of Lord Chief Baron Edward Willes to the Earl of Warwick 1757-62. Kilkenny: Boethius Press. Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 25 April 2016