Military Archives, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin 6

The next museum visit will be to the Military Archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin 6 for a tour on Saturday 6 April at 11:15 - 12:30. This is a free event and members are encouraged to bring a guest. Prospective members are also welcome. Meet at 11:15 in the Cathal Brugha Visitor Centre.

A unique opportunity to visit one of the most important Irish archives. Due to the security requirements for this visit, booking is essential and must be made in advance with the IMA office.

The Military Archives is an official place of deposit for the archives of the Defence Forces, the Department of Defence and the Army Pensions Board, since 1990 as defined in the National Archives Act, 1986. From as early as 1924, the National Army recognising the importance of the War of Independence undertook to preserve historical documents from that time.

The visitor centre, opened by the Minister for Defence, Mr Alan Shatter T.D. in May 2011, boasts some fine military artefacts and displays that are unique to the barracks and the role it played in Irish History. Pride of place has to go to the personal memorabilia that belonged to General Michael Collins and the photographs from the historic handover in 1922 between the Worchestershire Regiment and the Dublin Guards . Today, Cathal Brugha Barracks is the home of the 2nd Eastern Brigade, the 2nd Infantry Battalion and numerous brigade combat, combat support and combat service support units, including the Defence Forces School of Music and Military Archives. The idea behind this centre was to give visitors a better Idea of how the inhabitants of this longest lived-in barracks in Ireland have shaped the country.

Click here for a location map

Click here to book your free place on a first come first served basis