Minister seeks return of barracks archaeological finds

A series of archaeological artefacts discovered during building work on the new expanded Garda Station in Athlone may be put on display in the town.

Minister of State at the Office of Public Works Kevin 'Boxer' Moran has confirmed that he is working to facilitate the return of the items.

The finds, dating from the 17th century relate to the foundation of Custume Barracks, formerly Victoria Barracks.

Several artefacts were discovered amidst a perfectly-preserved cobbled area and courtyard surface, during the work on the Garda Station between 2018 and 2021.

The items uncovered ranged from coins to musket balls, to a thimble and a hair comb, and fragments of clay pipes and glassware, as well as military buttons, uniform buckles, and interesting animal bones.

The objects indicate that soldiers were involved in drinking, smoking and gambling on blood sports.

The first soldiers were stationed in Athlone during the foundation of Custume Barracks, formerly Victoria Barracks, around 1690.

Zoo-archaeologist Siobhan Duffy identified a lower leg-bone from a male chicken which had the characteristic spur sawn off at approximately mid-way along its length.

"This procedure would have been carried out during the bird's life, to facilitate the attachment of an artificial spur for the purposes of cockfighting,” Ms Duffy explained.

At that time, cockfighting was a potentially lucrative enterprise, regarded as a sport worthy of the powerful elite.

The OPW said the discovery of many clay pipe fragments, dating between 1640 and 1670, along with fragments of fine 17th century glassware, reinforced the theory that elite-status activities had been happening on Athlone the site.

Further evidence of this was seen in the excavation of a fine-toothed bone comb and clay curler, as many soldiers during the time wore their hair closely shaven, to avoid lice infestations, while more senior officers wore grand wigs.