McCan Barracks, Military barracks in Templemore, Ireland.
McCan Barracks is a military complex in Templemore comprising a three-story H-shaped building with a central block and two extended wings flanking the parade ground. The entire compound is enclosed by limestone boundary walls and houses active units of the Irish Defence Forces.
The site was founded in 1815 as Richmond Barracks and served as a prisoner camp during World War I, holding over 2000 German and Austrian detainees. Following Irish independence, it was renamed and later adapted as the nation's primary police training facility.
The barracks took its current name following Irish independence and has served as the national training center for An Garda Síochána since 1964. You can observe how the site functions as the heart of Irish police training operations today.
Access to the active barracks is restricted since it remains in operational use by military and police units. Visitors should check in advance which areas are accessible and when tours may be available.
Sir John Craven Carden donated the original land plus an additional 40 acres of training grounds, establishing the beginning of military presence in this town. This generous gift enabled the site to grow into one of the country's major training facilities.
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