Is this the Last RIC Barracks in N Ireland?

I was told about this, substantial, old, Scrabo sandstone, building in Newtownards by my good friend Billy. Billy looks after my motorbike and we go way back.
We believe it to be the oldest or indeed the only RIC barracks still standing anywhere in Northern Ireland. Whatever your views of the RIC and the role they played back then, this building remains living history.
The Royal Irish Constabulary ( Irish: Constáblacht Ríoga na hÉireann; simply called the Irish Constabulary) was the police force in Ireland from 1822 until 1922, when the country was part of the United Kingdom.The RIC was disbanded in April 1922.The RIC was replaced by the Civic Guard (renamed as the Garda Síochána the following year), in the Irish Free State and by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland.
You might find it worth visiting this fascinating site below.
Link-
Royal Irish Constabulary (1814 -1922)
www.royalirishc...

[@elodieducloux8126]

Brilliant history tidbit Tom, thank you for highlighting

[@TomMcClean]

Hey many thanks ED. I love stumbling across old places ( and indeed people ) like this with a hidden past. Best wishes from Belfast Northern Ireland.

[@jamescraig4565]

Just remembered another - Queen Street, Belfast.

[@TomMcClean]

Brilliant! Thanks again!

[@RODPIKERDRONESUK]

very interesting Tom great history cheers take care

[@TomMcClean]

Yes I was fascinated to find this place RDUK.

[@jdanevan8554]

In Fermanagh I know of at least two RIC Stations/Barracks which then became RUC Stations/Barracks. One in Brookeborough, which was famously attacked in 1957 in the Brookeborough raid during the border campaign. The attacked failed and resulted in two dead terrorists. The other station was Carn Green or Boho. It closed in 1937. I believe both are now private houses. I have heard some people say that the hotel in Kesh was also a RIC station but I am unsure if that is true. It is also possible that Lisbellaw's station exists as a house.

[@TomMcClean]

You know I think you are spot on JD. I sort of cheated a wee bit. My title was deliberately fashioned to encourage folks to post in with examples of buildings that still survive in their localities. Thanks for those you mentioned. I found out about the Kesh hotel after i put the video up. Best wishes from Belfast.

[@mikedrown2721]

Very interesting... love old buildings...Thanks Tom

[@TomMcClean]

Thanks Mike. I was fascinated to find out what this old building had once been used for.

[@drewmcavoy2895]

I believe that this was a joint RIC barracks and a Court House, hence the name Court Street.

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Drew. Many thanks for that information. I didn't realize the buildings dual purpose. I also didn't realize the good number of old RIC buildings that are still in use up and down the country. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@baconsoda]

My Great Grandfather and Grandfather were both RIC men. When the RUC was formed my Great Grandfather retired but my Grandfather was a young man so was enrolled in the RUC. I have his discharge papers from the RIC and enrolment papers to the RUC dated on the same day.

[@TomMcClean]

This is a fascinating connection Brendan. I presume the date on the discharge papers would have been April 1922? Were they living up north or down south back then? The RIC were probably seen by most natioanlists as traitors and British collaborators so they and their families would likely have been given a hard time down south, before and after the disbandment. The RIC suffered massive deaths and casualties from 1912 or so onwards from the IRA. Thanks for sharing this.

[@baconsoda]

I am almost sure they are dated in April 1922 but I will check if I can find them in my Mother's 'stuff' that still needs sorted. My Great Grandfather was from Bunbeg, in Donegal, but was stationed in Carnlough. My Grandfather was stationed in Carrickfergus, where he met my Grandmother, and then Keady, Co. Armagh, where my Mother was born and then in Portadown for the rest of his career. He got emphysema in his 50's and died at 60 when I was 3 years old and I have wonder memories of him. I have a remarkable memory of my very young childhood. Just remembered, I met a colleague's Father who grew up in Keady and I mentioned my Grandfather being stationed there. He asked his name and, after I told him, he immediately started laughing because he remembered him well... chasing him and other lads out of orchards when they were in fogging apples. That made my Grandfather seem really strange, as a young man running, because I had never seen that. I will send you a private message with more info on this. Best part was that he said my Grandfather was very popular and very fair. I have also been told stories about his time in Portadown and about how he was well respected by all because of his approach. I will send you a private message with some more info.

[@TomMcClean]

This is magic Brendan! You have a super memory! I imagine life would have been slightly easier up north during those turbulent times. Maybe not is particular areas. Yes I'm on [e-mail].

[@andybrown223]

Interesting video Tom👍

[@TomMcClean]

Thanks Andy. Hidden history hidden in plain sight again,

[@990drifter]

Court Street, Tom

[@TomMcClean]

Yes Court street Nigel. Best wishes from Belfast.

[@adamallen1097]

Still the old RIC Barracks in Cullybackey now the Royal British Legion

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Adam. Many thanks for this information. I've realized since posting this video that there are still quite a few RIC buildings around. they were solidly built to last. I must check Cullybacky out. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@paulallenMacca]

Thanks for sharing Tom i haven't been on much lately as ive been busy i normally now watch KZbin on my TV.

[@TomMcClean]

Hey greaat to hear from you Paul no matter what way you hear or watch. Hope all is good with you.

[@BMCBikesBelfast]

I grew up in the Woodvale and was 15 and when the Ulster Workers strike was on. A few streets away, in Leopold Street formerly known as Quality Row, was the old R.I.C barracks, it had been sealed up for years as the new R.U.C police station was built in Tennents Street. The word came round the doors to bring any buckets you had. Someone had broken into the barracks and at the rear of the building was tons of coal; we had to carry it round the streets where someone would tell us which houses it was to go to first, as the elderly were to get before anyone else. With the power and gas going on and off most of us were all cooking on open fires, we were stinking and all looked like coal miners but to us it was just a great big adventure, jam sandwiches and no bath - great stuff. it was a hard time for the people of Belfast, but I have been reliably informed that it was nothing to the hardship endured by the people of Holywood……For two whole weeks in May you could not have bought asparagus or courgettes for love nor money! !

[@TomMcClean]

Wonderful Billy! This gave me a big smile! Best wishes

[@rogermcdonald126]

My dad grew up in 1 Leopold St. adjoining the old barracks and my granny lived there till about 1970. The house was bricked up then - at the same time as the barracks.

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Roger great to hear from you. I hope you enjoyed Billy's wee story post. lol Best wishes

[@patsymillar9447]

Tom this building you've been filming, was for a while, if my memory serves, was forvavwhilevthe factory shop for the ulster print works. I seem to remember going therecwcith my sister and her mother in law to buy tea towels in the 70s. Also I was told one of thevquaries up scrabo was used by The ric as a gun practice range. Little sis

[@TomMcClean]

Hi little sis, Thanks for this extra information. I love it when good folk like yourself can add in these missing jigsaw pieces. That would make perfect sense about the quarry gun range. Best wishes

[@drewmcavoy2895]

It was the Airprint Works that were there in the 70's, which (afaik) was a completely different company than the Ulster Print Works.

[@GaryGSF]

You can stay in a hotel in Trim, County Meath called the Castle Arch Hotel, converted from an old RIC barracks. Would be worth a visit for you as the town has a great medieval castle to explore also. A friendly place and good value too. Good video.

[@TomMcClean]

We have visited Trim, Gary. You are right it is an amazing place full of history. The Norman castle is the largest I have ever visited! I'm afraid I managed to miss the converted RIC station! Ooooops!

[@GaryGSF]

@@TomMcClean That's one for your to do list. 😁

[@jamescraig4565]

Hi, I enjoyed your video and talk. I can think of at least two other former RIC Barracks still standing - Donegall Pass and Banbridge. There is also a building near the railway line at Corrs Corner which was also an RIC Barracks but I can't identify which building it was.

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks for that welcome encouragement James. This is fascinating. I cheated a bit with my vide title. I knew that there were probably a lot more still standing but I didn't know where. The title acted like an enticement for people to put me right. As a recult I have gleaned locaations for a few more video calls to make up and down the country to visit and film these old stations. I hope I am forgiven! Best wishes from Belfast. ps Banbridge is my home town so I know the old station well. I believe it is empty and going to wreck and ruin now.

[@jamescraig4565]

@@TomMcClean Let me know how you get on. If I think of others I'll let you know - the old police station in Dungannon comes to mind.

[@TomMcClean]

You are a mine of information James!

[@stingray06091951]

there are still a hundred or so RIC barracks left in Ireland

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Raymond, Thanks for this information. I suspect that you may be correct on this. I am amending my title to read, 'Is this the Last RIC Barracks in N Ireland?' I will also amend the footnotes. Best wishes from Belfast.

[@jeremycaughey1864]

Good video,, I'm into history myself I like visiting old buildings maybe u should vist cruilm gaol take a tour do a filming I have done a tour there few times lol 👍👍

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks Jeremy, unfortuantely Crumlin Road Jail don't allow you to video as you walk round. I know people have done so but I didn't want to get myself into bother so when I was on the tour I didn't film. A bit of a shame really because other places do allow videos! Best wishes from Belfast's Castlereagh hills.

[@gregbruns8442]

You’re really good at these history videos! Very informative. That’s a cool building too. They don’t build them like that anymore. I wonder what is inside now. I’m also curious as to what is beyond that gate. I see cars. Is there more to the grounds than just the barracks? Cool video, Tom!

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks Greg. I love making discoveries like this. This was a very secure type of building. All thes eold barracks could have come under IRA attack especially from 1910 onwards. They would have metal shutters on al the windowsn and maybe a metal door. I would love to get inside. It may have been used as an RUC station until the new one was built down the street. The barracks building seems to go well back. I'm not sure what those cars are about.

[@gregbruns8442]

@@TomMcClean It’s well built for sure! Go rattle the gate and yell “Let me in!” See what happens.

[@TomMcClean]

LOL Greg I'd probably get someone coming out and giving me a 'not very polite', telling off!

[@healey100austin]

My grandad (English) was a Black N tan,he survived the big one and lived till the seventies 😎

[@TomMcClean]

Very very interesting H100A, My father came from Co Monaghan near Ballybay. He was born in 1906. He told me that the Black and Tans arrived at his farm in the dead of night. They ordered the whole family out in ther night clothes. They lined all the men including him ( he was probably 16 or so ) against a wall and beat them. Theywere going to shoot them as IRA sympathisers. One of the RIC men with them recognised them as a Protestant family and they were spared. Many of the Black and Tans were ruthless.

[@healey100austin]

To reply,mum was English,from Sussex and dad was from Enniskillen.mum was a WAAF and met dad etc..They moved to Liscurn then south Belfast,dad was a part time officer in the B specials then qualified as a GP and went into mental nursing - Purdysburn 😁

[@TomMcClean]

Wow it is a small world. My mum was a nurse in Purdysburn, way back when, probably in the late 1930s not sure. My wife also nursed in Purdysburn. I have done a video walkround of it too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2XCfKeMjK99Y80 A Brief Walkabout History of Purdysburn Hospital Belfast

[@williamgordon6972]

This is not the last RIC barracks in Northern Ireland there are still plenty about. Some are being used for other purposes and some until recently were being used as RUC/PSNI stations. Queen Street was not an RIC Barrack as it was a children's hospital before 1930 when the RUC acquired the building. The nearest RIC was in Smithfield market at the corner of Winetavern Street where the main door of the new Smithfield is.

[@TomMcClean]

Hey thanks for all that information William. I realized after I put the video up that even I could name a few other former RIC barracks still standing. Ikept the title because I wanted to hear other people's thoughts and information about former barracks in their area. A bit fraudulent I know but there you are. Best wishes

[@healey100austin]

You sounded a bit nationilist there...

[@TomMcClean]

LOL No H100a You have got that wrong. I am pro Union but not pro any of the big Westminster parties.