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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Cork => Topic started by: AlanR83 on Friday 20 April 18 09:20 BST (UK)
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Hello,
Has anyone ever heard of Blackrock Castle being used as a Free State Prison during the Civil War.
My Grandfather and his brother were Irregular Prisoners from 03 Sep 1922 to March 21 1923 - I have their prison records from Military Archives but the records don't say what Gaol they were held in. I thought it would be either the City or the County Gaol, but a relation told me that my Grandfather told him that he was held in Blackrock Castle for 6 months.
Any info on Blackrock Castle used as a prison in 1922 & 1923 would be a great help.
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Spike Island?
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https://www.spikeislandcork.ie/
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No - he was adamant it was Blackrock Castle
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I know the City Gaol, the County Gaol and Spike Island were all used to house Irregular prisoners. But I can find no info on Blackrock Castle also being used.
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No - he was adamant it was Blackrock Castle
Maybe email the Castle?
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Yes I have done that - waiting on a reply!
I have evidence it was used as a Prison by the IRA during the War of Independence, from my Grandfather's notes for his IRA pension application in 1937 - see attached.
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Matthew O'Callaghan mentions it in his witness statement
http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0561.pdf#page=3
http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0561.pdf#page=5
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Thanks for that Dathai, so I know for sure now the IRA used it for a prison but still need to confirm, if the Free State Army used it.
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If they were using it would there be men stationed there in the 1922 Army Census?
http://census.militaryarchives.ie/
If you put Cork City in the search you get (am I correct in thinking Blackrock Castle would be within the city?)
Catford Barracks
Cork City
County Goal Cork City