Farewell –

On 26th March 2012 the national flag was lowered for the last time at Kickham Barracks, Clonmel. Clonmel had been a garrison town since Cromwell had lost his campaign in Ireland when the Irish rebels opened the gates during the night to let his army in, but to find that the Irish leaders were gone down the River Suir to safety. Clonmel was the only place where Cromwell did not massacre the inhabitants. It was a sad day as the military parade passed through the town to enter the barracks for the last time. The effects of this closing of the army barracks will have enormous implications for a town already devastated by the recession.