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Go to Castlebar ] [ The BB Index ] [ Disclaimer ] [Nostalgia Board ] [Main BB ] [Roots ] [NB Refresh for current version and all follow-ups] Posted by Ironside retired on November 25, 2004 at 15:39:16: In Reply to: Military Barracks posted by Royal on November 23, 2004 at 14:50:42: It's a sad time to see the Military Barracks in Castlebar closing down. As part of it's closure the once proud 5th Cavalry Squadron ( F.C.A. )is now being amalgamated with the 4th Cavalry Squadron in Longford !!!!!, which really in effect means that no longer will the 5th Cavalry exist in Castlebar. The 5th Cav was the ONLY f.c.a. Cavalry Squadron in Connaught, and provided excellent training and skills to many many youngsters who were lucky to have become members. Members who joined learned to fire weapons, drive army vehicles such as land rovers and armoured cars. Mapreading and orienteering was another skill well learned, and leadership skills were also taught. Many of our former members subsequently left to pursue careers as garda, regular army, navy, and army officers. Castlebar Barracks was an excellent venue for annual camps and training events and with our extensive great open spaces in Mayo many fca and army groups came to Castlebar for their annual and special camps and were always very happy there. Alas no more !!! We also went to school in the Barracks,after the happiest day in my life...... 1st March 1957 when St.Pat's National School was burned to the ground.
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