MacCurtain Street (King Street) RIC Barracks

Before it became MacCurtain Street it was known as King Street and at number 58 sat the Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks. The four story red brick town house was built in 1830 and became home to those upholding the rule of British law north of the River Lee.

Next to the Grosvenor Hotel - the RIC Barracks, a constable stands on it's steps by the door.

In July 1920 the IRA put the barracks out of business. It was at the strike of 6pm when a dozen volunteers from 1st Battalion of the Cork No.1 Brigade attacked the barracks.

Witness statement of Stephen Foley, Lieutenant G Co, 1st Batt, Cork No. 1 Brigade.

While some Volunteers kept watch on the street outside, others managed to get in to the adjoining building and set gelignite against a sidewall. Just before the explosion ripped through the wall into the barracks, one volunteer outside on the street discharged his pistol thus alarming the RIC and the plan to rush the building and take it was abandoned. Instead, the explosion went off, causing extensive damage and the IRA volunteers escaped.

Witness statement of Edward Horgan, Lieutenant H Co, 1st Batt, Cork No.1 Brigade.

The destruction of the King Street (later MacCurtain Street) RIC Barracks was a major coup for the Cork IRA. 11 days after the bomb blast, volunteers arrived back to the scene and set fire to what was left, making sure it could not be reoccupied by the enemy forces.

Account of IRA Vol. Sean Lucey

Grave of Sean Lucey, St. Finbarrs Cemetery.

The aftermath of the IRA attack in July 1920

It was the same RIC Barracks from where the Tomas MacCurtain murder squad originated. In 1921 the name of the slain Lord Mayor replaced that of King and in 1922 the Gardai took over the RIC Barracks there.