Richmond Barracks

Richmond Barracks is a former British army barracks, now a museum. Located in Dublin’s Inchicore district, close to Kilmainham Prison, the site is entirely dedicated to an important episode in Irish history: the Easter Rising of 1916. A fascinating museum offering an insight into one of the most significant events in Irish history!

Visit the Richmond Barracks Museum

The story of a barracks turned prison and museum

Richmond Barracks – William Murphy – cc

The barracks are named after Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond. Built in 1810, it was originally intended to house British army troops.

During the First World War, many Irishmen were assigned to the barracks as a transitional place before going overseas to fight the enemy. But the site also served as a 2nd cavalry depot, housing the 4th Queen Hussars, 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, 11th Hussars and 13th Hussars of the Irish and British armed divisions.

But it was in 1916 that the barracks played a decisive role. After the failure of the Easter Rising in April 1916, Richmond Barracks became a place of detention for over 3,000 Irish participants in the uprising. Leaders of the movement like Éamonn Ceannt were interned at the barracks before being sent to Kilmainham Gaol for execution.

With the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922, the barracks lost its role as a prison and became the home of the Irish army, before closing.

The building then became the property of the Dublin Corporation, which decided to use the site as a home for Dublin families and set up a school there in 1929: St Michaels Christian Brothers School, which did not close until 2006.

In May 2016, the barracks were refurbished as a museum to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising. The latter is presenting an exhibition dedicated to the event, the role of the women who took part in the uprising, the conditions of confinement within the prison, the great Irish figures that the barracks has had within its walls… etc.

The exhibition is modern, interactive and very interesting! Don’t hesitate to follow their friendly and approachable guide, who will be delighted to share his passion for this great episode in Irish history with you!