Doaghbeg barracks

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Due to the lack of historical evidence, it is quite difficult to gather information about Doaghbeg Barracks. We believe it was built in the 1840s, in line with the setup of the Royal Irish Constabulary.  We are sure there is plenty other information relating to the barracks out there and we may look into this in future.  We would also appreciate it if anyone would volunteer to take this on.  We can then add this info to our site to ensure it is saved for future generations.  The barracks was located on the corner between O'Doherty's shop and Doaghbeg School.

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It is written that after an alleged murder in the area, Colonel Berreton threatened to withdraw the revenue police party from Milford if a magistrate was not immediately sent to Doaghbeg.

Here’s an extract about Petty Sessions released in 1846;

At the last General Quarter Sessions held at Letterkenny, in and for said County, Applications having been made for Changes in the Petty Sessions' Districts of Carn and Buncrana. by taking off the latter District certain Townlands, and annexing same to the Carn District; and for the establishment of a Petty Sessions at Tamney. instead of Doaghbeg, (where they are at present held), the Parish of Clondevadock, for the same District as Doaghbeg, orders were made, that same should entered in the Crown Book, and to be taken into consideration at the next General Quarter Sessions, be held Lifford, the 2nd of JANUARY, 1846, of which all persons concerned are desired take notice.

JAMES COCHRAN, Clerk of the Peace for said County.

 

RIC members based in Doaghbeg (based on newspaper clippings, death/marriage/birth records)

In 1857, a Constable Dawson was based in Doaghbeg Barracks and was in charge of investigating Ribbonmen attacks within the area.

 

In 1864, James O’Donnell died in Doaghbeg.  He was listed as a ‘Constable of the Constabulary’.  He was a bachelor aged 53.

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1868 - Hugh Conlan with his residence listed as Doaghbeg married Catherine Heraghty. Since Conlan isn't a Doaghbeg name we can assume he was a member of the Constabularly. Joseph Travers and Charles Hegarty were witnesses to the marriage. 

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1871 - Mary Ann Doherty with her address listed as Doaghbeg, died at the age of 37. She was Sub Constable John Doherty's wife. Based on some research, we can see that Mary Ann's maiden name was Canders and they married in 1860 in the Letterkenny district. John was from Manorcunningham originally. 

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1873 - October 19th, Alexander McClintock and his wife Catherine Norwell register the birth of their child from Doaghbeg. The name of the child was not provided. 

Also in 1873, a birth record was provided for a Thomas George Wilson on the exact same date. The parents names are Alexander Wilson and Catherine McClintock. There may be a mismatch of information across both records. 

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Thomas Coughlin from Doaghbeg also married Mary Hagan from Craigmaderoe. His occupation was listed as a Policeman. Pat and Catherine Hagan were present at the marriage.

 

1874 – a birth record appeared in the Londonderry Sentinel for a girl (Alicia Constance Jane Ferguson) who was the daughter of John Ferguson. Ferguson was a Constable in Doaghbeg at this time.  Ferguson also had two other children registered in Doaghbeg named Henry Richard Ferguson (1876) & John George Bradley Ferguson (1872).  John was married to Elizabeth Harrison.

 

1878 – Francis Moss married local girl Hannah McAteer in August 1878 while they had their first child in December 1878 called Mary Anna.  Hannah Moss passed away in March 1879 while Francis remarried and passed away in 1914, in Drogheda.

 

1879 – Constable Peter Farrelly was stationed in Doaghbeg.  Farrelly was involved in a court case between 14-year-old Michael Logue (Cranford) and Edward McFadden, a tailor who was working in Doaghbeg station at the time.

 

In 1885, Constable M. Risk was transferred from Doaghbeg to Rathmullan.  In the same year, Constable Dooris of Doaghbeg station was promoted to the rank and pay of acting-sergeant and was transferred to Belfast with this promotion.

 

Also in 1885, Sergeant Michael Connolly (promoted to Sergeant in 1884) transferred from Rosnakill to Doaghbeg (at his own request) and then in 1888 he transferred to Meentiaghs (again, at his own request).  Upon his transfer to Doaghbeg, the following was written about him;

This very efficient officer has, by his courteous ways and the impartial manner in which he discharged his duties during the long term he has been stationed in Rosnakill, gained for himself the respect and esteem of the inhabitants of his district, especially that of the men of the Rosnakill station, and it is with regret they learn of his departure from amongst them. Mr. Connolly carries with him the good will of all the people of Rosnakill and the surrounding district, and they wish him every success in his new station of which he has gone to take permanent charge. Constable Edward Gibbons, of Kindrum station, has been promoted to the rank and pay of Acting-Sergeant, dating from 10th inst. Mr. Gibbons is well deserving of his promotion as he is a most efficient officer.

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In 1892, Constable Cunningham transferred from Doaghbeg Station to Tamney Station after spending many years in Doaghbeg.

 

In 1895, Michael Kenny passed away.  He was married to Anne ‘Frank’ McAteer and was listed as RIC Constable Pensioner on his death cert. 

 

Also, in 1895, James Mulhern, a Constable in the RIC, passed away in Milford Workhouse.  His last address was given as Doaghbeg and he was only 24 years of age and a bachelor.

 

In 1898, Constable Thomas Clarke was transferred at his own request from Doaghbeg to Co. Fermanagh.  He had been in Doaghbeg for two years.

 

In 1899, a baby girl named Anna Bridget Heraghty passed away in Doaghbeg.  Her father is listed as Michael Heraghty, an RIC Constable.  Michael was married to Winifred Galmartin.  They married in June 1896 and their marriage was registered in the Sligo district.  On their marriage cert, Michael’s residence was listed as ‘Malin Head’.

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In January 1901 - Patrick Eugene Walsh was born to James Walsh and Bridget Rafferty. James was listed as a Constable of the RIC but strangely does not appear on the 1901 census. 

 

In the 1901 census, the following men were stationed in Doaghbeg;

• Patrick Maher (Sergeant)

• James Naish (Constable) - Naish was transferred in May 1900 from Newtoncunningham

• D.C (Constable)

• J.R (Constable)

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In 1901, Constable Lynn was transferred to Doaghbeg from Glenveigh.  Constable Crilly (may be the D.C above) was transferred from Doaghbeg to Creeslough.

In 1906, Thomas Flynn was promoted to the rank and pay of Sergeant. 

 

In the 1911 census, the following men were stationed in Doaghbeg;

• John Hunt from Leitrim

• Charles McDermott from Roscommon

• John Kenny from Antrim

• Richard McComiskey from Down

Both John Hunt and John Kenny were married and living in Doaghbeg with their family at the time of the census.

 

In 1911, Constable J M McCanney was stationed in Doaghbeg in May. 

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In 1915 - an exchange occurred between Constable McComiskey of Doaghbeg and Constable Maguire from Ramelton.

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In 1918, Edward Geelan passed away in Doaghbeg.  He was married to Catherine Fogarty from Pettigo. They married on 26th April 1901 and sadly a daughter of theirs also passed away in Doaghbeg on the 18th May 1918, named Bridget. Edward was listed as a RIC Sergeant on his death record and was just 46 years of age.

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Doaghbeg barracks was burned to the ground on April 11th 1920 as part of the War of Independence whereby a large number of other barracks in Ireland were all destroyed by fire.  The courthouse in Tamney was destroyed the same day.  Charlie Neidy Sweeney (1893-1960) was reported as taking part in the burning.

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In July 1920, the Earl of Leitrim brought an appeal against a decree by the Donegal Court Judge as shown in the image below;

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1927 – new barracks for Doaghbeg?

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