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The famous Castle Barracks were erected in the 1770s in the grounds of King John's Castle and were occupied, and were ocupied by the British military up to the establishment of the State. It was eventually demolished and many years late houses were built there. However, we had five more military fortifications around the city, namely: St. John's Barracks, Sarsfield Barracks, the Ordnance Barracks, the Strand Barracks, and the O'Curry Street Barracks.

 

Also referred to as the Bard of Thomond, Mchael Hogan was born at New Road, Thomondgate at the beginning of November in the earlier part of the 19th century. He was baptised in St. Munchin's Church. Although not having very much schooling (he didn't like it there), lampooning some of his classmates and maybe teachers also, he managed in later years to outclass the local literati of his time, and even perhaps some further afield. He lived a modest, oft frugal life, working in Loch Mills from dawn to dark. His wife, Nannie, bore no offspring, however, he did have a few brothers. To date, he has two highly acclaimed descedants, Mike and Noel Hogan, of the outstandingly famous band, that of the Cranberries, who helped to fund the re-publishing of his famous collection of poems, 'Lays and Legends of Thomond'. I could go on all day as to his life that has become firmly lodged in my mind, but space does not permit. Just to mention that 'Friends of the Bard' were instrumental in having a statue erected to him on 2005, sculpted by Limerick-man, Jim Connolly, and funded by the late Peter Hogan, of Savannah, Georgia, a direct descendant of the Bard, who actually spent his honeymoon in our once palatial, Cruises Hotel. The plinth was funded by Limerick Corporation. A public invitation was issued in the 'Limerick Leader' for some time prior to the unveiling, and the event, which was graced by our local, St. Mary's Fife and Drum Band, was exceptionally well-attended. On the day, the bells of St. Mary's Cathedral pealed out joyfully, thus marking the significance of the very special occasion. Our highly gifted poet, who lived most of his life in penury, died in a room on Rutland in April 1899, and his funeral was attended by the then Mayor, John Daly, as well as many Council members.

 

For some time following his marriage at St. Mary's Church in 1858, our Bard and his wife, Nannie, lived in rooms directly opposite the Old Exchange. In later years prior to his departure to America, and he feeling desperately depressed, he entered the grounds of St. Mary's Cathedral, sat on a bench while he reminisced on his sad fate as the bells of our magnificent Cathedral echoed across the shimmering Shannon tide. He brought with him on his trip forty copies of his hard-back poetry collection entitled, 'Lays and Legends of thomond'.