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MANY people might know it as the home of the FCA in Tralee, but Ballymullen barracks has seen the changing of the guard on more than a few occasions over the past 200 years.

Now, a book about the history of the barracks is set to be launched at Tralee Library later this month.

The author of the book, Robert Tangney, who works in Kerry County Council buildings, is from Mounthawk and has family connections to the Ballymullen area and its barracks.

His father, grandfather and great grandfather all hailed from there, in fact Robert’s grandfather Denis signed up for the Royal Fusiliers in 1914 and fought in the ‘Great War’. (continued below)

“My father, Denis, always wanted to write a book on the history of Ballymullen, but he passed away,” Robert said. “I began researching the barracks and found there was enough in it for a book so I decided to write it and dedicate it to my father. As I began to gather information for the book it was great tapping into what people were trying to say, my job was then to pull it all together” he said.

The book will give a history of the barracks from its construction in 1810 onwards, including the regiments that served there such as The Royal Munster Fusiliers who had their headquarters in the barracks, a real coup for the town at the time. The Munster Fusiliers fought at Gallipoli in World War One.

The birth of the State is also covered with the War of Independence and the Civil War that followed. Other historical landmarks such as the Emergency, and the military graveyard at Haig’s Terrace, Killerisk are also included.

The book will be launched in Tralee Library on Tuesday June 24 at 7pm.

Price is €15 (with a 1912 map of Ballymullen Barracks for €3)
For more details call 066-7121200 or Email tralee@kerrylibrary.ie