Captain Mary Daly, Gearoid O’Brien, Johnny Ridge Secretary, Lt Col Mark Lennon, OC, Custume Barracks, Sean Kilbride, John Durnin and Éibhear O’Hanlon at the unveiling of the historic photographs exhibition in Custume Barracks last week. Photos: Paul Molloy.

Major photographic exhibition unveiled in Athlone's Custume Barracks

Published: Fri 26 Sep 2025, 6:05 PM

A major exhibition of historic photos relating to Custume Barracks in Athlone - which is believed to be the oldest functioning barracks in Europe - was unveiled last week and will be available for viewing by the public shortly.

A small group of veterans collected, curated, and organised the display of historic photos, which was presented to Lt Colonel Mark Lennon, Officer Commanding, Custume Barracks, Athlone, recently.

The photographs are in three categories: Pictures of the handover from the British to Irish forces in 1922; pictures of old and historic buildings in and adjacent to the barracks; and pictures of historic persons associated with the barracks.

The handing over of the exhibition of photos took place in the Officers' Mess on Thursday, September 18, and included a presentation by noted Athlone historian Gearóid O’Brien.

Billy Nott, Eoin Moloney and Charles Lawn at the unveiling of the historic photographs exhibition in Custume Barracks last week.

The exhibition of photos will be available for viewing by the public at a later stage, on dates to be announced.

Since the transfer of Collins Barracks in Dublin to the National Museum of Ireland, the oldest occupied Defence Forces barracks in Ireland is now Custume Barracks in Athlone.

According to military historians, Custume Barracks is probably the oldest functioning barracks on these islands and, as far as is known, the oldest in Europe and possibly the world.