Tánaiste Simon Harris has unveiled plans for a €5 million renovation project at Collins Barracks in Cork, aimed at modernizing officer accommodation in the historic military facility. The project will provide modern living quarters for more than 20 officers, complementing recent improvements made to enlisted personnel housing at the base.
The renovation targets a historic building dating back to 1806, originally constructed by the British army. Despite suffering fire damage in 1922, the structure holds regional importance status in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage for its architectural, historical, and social significance.
According to The Journal, this investment is part of a broader €355 million nationwide military infrastructure upgrade planned for the next three years. The government has allocated €62.5 million for military building projects in 2025 alone, with €50 million specifically earmarked for capital projects.
Collins Barracks, situated on Cork’s northside, serves as a crucial military hub housing various One Brigade units, including artillery, cavalry, engineers, transport, explosive ordnance disposal, and communications, along with several Reserve units.
The renovation work, to be carried out by Vision Contract Ltd at a cost of €4,948,181.77, follows similar conservation projects at Haulbowline Naval Base and McKee Barracks in Dublin. The project falls under the Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), a comprehensive initiative aimed at modernizing Defence Forces facilities while achieving carbon neutrality.
Colonel Damien McEvoy, the Defence Forces’ engineering director, will oversee the national project, with additional project management support at the local level in Cork. This investment represents a significant step in the government’s commitment to providing military personnel with modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation while preserving historically significant military architecture.