They're here' - the transfer of Garda recruit training from Dublin to Templemore, 14th February 1964.
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‘They’re here’ - the transfer of Garda recruit training from
Dublin to Templemore, 14th February 1964.
Introduction
In June 1960, newspapers reported that Garda recruit training was ‘virtually certain’
to move from the Phoenix Park Depot to McCan (formerly Richmond) military
barracks in Templemore.1 Garda Commissioner Daniel Costigan made several visits
to McCan during the summer of 1960, and junior minister in the Department of
Justice Charles J. Haughey stated in the Dáil that a move to Templemore would be ‘in
accordance with the government’s policy of decentralising government departments’.
He went on to say that the current facilities at Garda Headquarters and the Soldier’s
Hall in Parkgate Street were ‘no longer considered suitable for the accommodation of
Garda recruits’.2 McCan barracks had not been used by the army since the end of ‘the
Emergency’ in 1945, but was used for summer camps and also as a local headquarters
by the army reserve (FCA).
Recruits march from Garda HQ to Hueston Station to board the ‘Temple more Special’, 14th
February, 1964
McCan was considered suitable for the transfer of recruit training as it had enough
accommodation, two large barrack squares, a gymnasium, hospital and modern
sanitary facilities. In addition, Templemore was centrally located and also had a
railway station, making it accessible from all parts of Ireland. Minister Haughey
Sgt. John Reynolds, Garda College.
2
stated that Garda recruitment would increase to 600 or 700 per year as the members
who had founded An Garda Síochána in 1922 were retiring in large numbers. To keep
the force at its’ current strength of 6,400, a substantial number of new recruits would
be required.
While news of increased recruitment was generally well received, there was some
adverse comment with one Galway newspaper lamenting the ‘passing of the big
policeman’. It queried whether the new recruits would be the ‘same strapping fellows
we saw in uniform in the past’, and went on to say that if a new recruit were on the
beat with a 1922 man, it would ‘look like a father taking along a promising son who
will one day grow up’. It also offered an opinion that the ‘Bhan Gardaí were tidy girls,
nowhere like the size of the Belfast lady police, and could slip along almost
unnoticed’.3
In Templemore the
news of the transfer of
training was welcomed
with one local
newspaper commented
that ‘the people of the
town are glad and proud
to have the honour
bestowed upon them’.4
Recruit Gardaí J. Clinton, A. Kilfeather, V. Johnston and P. Sweeney on the ‘Templemore
Special’, 14th Fe bruary, 1964
A committee was formed by the local council to work on projects which would
provide recreational facilities for recruits. This included the laying down of a pitch
and putt course in the town park and additional playing fields for hurling and football.
Draws, dances and raffles were held to raise funds for these projects. It was estimated
that the 2,500 population of Templemore would increase by about 25 per cent once
the recruits arrived, as up to 50 instructional staff would be required for the new
Sgt. John Reynolds, Garda College.
3
training centre. Newspapers highlighted the attractions of Templemore for married
instructors transferring to the town which included ‘excellent primary and secondary
schools, sporting facilities and local clubs and organisations’. 5
In October 1963 it was reported that construction of the new facilities was nearly
complete, with the costs estimated to be £560,000. Works included the construction of
an indoor heated swimming pool, two outdoor handball alleys, two basketball courts,
a lounge, gymnasium and a recreation hall that could also be used as a dance hall. The
cost of the swimming pool at £50,000 was somewhat controversial, but was justified
on the basis that
Every member of the force should be a first-class swimmer with knowledge of
life-saving … the provision of this facility would be most far-reaching step
ever taken in the promotion of water safety in Ireland.6
The ‘Templemore Special’
On 20 December 1963 the last passing out parade took place at Garda Headquarters in
the Phoenix Park, which had been purpose built as a recruit training depot for the Irish
constabulary in 1842. During his speech the Minister for Justice Charles J. Haughey
said that while the transfer from Dublin to Templemore may be regretted by older
members of the force, it marked a positive move by the government in the
decentralisition of public services. He also stated that the new recruits would
undoubtedly receive a ‘generous welcome from the big-hearted people of Tipperary’.7
The February 1964 issue
of Iris An Ghárda
reported that the new
training centre with ‘its
vastly improved
appointments and
apartments, is truly a
milestone in Garda
advancement’. An advance party of recruits and instructors went to Templemore one
week ahead of the main group to perform tasks such as the assembly of beds and
Sgt. John Reynolds, Garda College.
4
equipping of offices and classrooms. They were accommodated in the Templemore
Arms Hotel as the catering facilities in the GTC were still being finished.
The transfer of 190 recruits and instructional took place on 14 February 1964. On that
cold and wet St. Valentine’s Day, recruits formed fours on the Depot square for the
last time and marched out of gate towards Kingsbridge (now Hueston) railway station
led by the Garda Band which played ‘Auld-Lang Syne’. 8 On arrival at Kingsbridge
the group boarded a specially chartered train which was temporarily renamed as the
‘Templemore Special’. On the journey to Templemore recruits played cards and sang
songs to pass the time, including ‘Mule Train’ by Marty Robbins which was topping
the charts at the time.
On arrival at
Templemore railway
station recruits were
greeted by local
politicians before
assembling to march
to the training centre,
led by the newly
formed Thomas
McDonagh Pipe Band
from Templemore.
Recruits marching from Temple more Train Statin to the GTC, 14th February, 1964 by Joe Barry.
It was reported that most of the population of the town watched as recruits paraded
from the railway station, onto Church Avenue and into the GTC, thus ‘starting a new
era in the life of the town’.9 One newspaper did note however, that some changes
would be inevitable for local people, stating for example that the centre aisles of the
Catholic Church in Templemore would in future ‘be reserved for Garda personnel at
9.30 am mass each Sunday, and the public were asked to use the side aisles only’. 10
Sgt. John Reynolds, Garda College.
5
The official opening
The formal opening of the GTC took place on 21 February 1964 and was performed
by the Minister for Justice Charles J. Haughey, Garda Commissioner Dan Costigan
and the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dr. Morris. The Garda band played on the
square as Dr. Morris blessed a new Garda flag which would be flown over the GTC.
During his speech Mr. Haughey stated that it was a historic occasion both for An
Garda Síochána and for the town of Templemore itself. The Minister referred to his
hope that those ‘that live and work here will do so in an atmosphere of harmony and
co-operation, hard work, dedication and discipline’. 11 Commissioner Costigan
thanked the minister for the ‘magnificent new accommodation’ which had been
provided by the Government, and stated his belief that there was every reason to
expect that the new GTC would ‘turn out first class guards, model drivers and highly
trained officers, inspectors, sergeants and detectives’.12
In March 1964 the
first passing out
ceremony in the GTC
took place. Referring
in his speech to
newspaper reports that
there had been some
disciplinary problems
following the move
from Dublin the Commissioner stated that such minor issues were a result of ‘the
changeover from Dublin and the difficulties that go with it’. He warned any recruits
involved in such misbehaviour that ‘they would have to change their ways or not
remain in the force’. He told the new Gardaí that to be good policemen they ‘must
have a vocation as they would for the ecclesiastical life, and must conform to
standards higher than people in other walks of life’. 13
Sgt. John Reynolds, Garda College.6 Staff of the Garda Training Centre with Training Officer Supt. Eamonn Doherty, Feb. 1964 1 Irish Independent, 20 January 1960. 2 Irish Press, 7 June 1960. 3 Connact Sentinel, 9 August 1960. 4 Nenagh Guardian, 23 July 1960. 5 Irish Independent, 21 February 1964. 6 Irish Independent, 12 October 1963. 7 Irish Press, 21 December 1963. 8 Iris An Ghárda, Aibreán 1964, p. 348 9 Irish Press, 15 February 1964. 10 Tipperary Star, 15 February 1964. 11 Iris An Ghárda, Aibreán 1964, p. 337. 12 Ibid. 13 Irish Press, 21 March 1964. Sgt. John Reynolds, Garda College.
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