The Old Barracks Heritage Centre
Heritage centre in a restored 1870s police barracks in Cahersiveen, with exhibitions over three floors and an escape room.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Old Barracks in Cahersiveen was built in the 1870s as a barracks of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and it is linked to the Fenian Rising and to the watch kept over the nearby transatlantic telegraph link. Its turrets and lookout points show the influence of military forts. For about seventy years after it was abandoned the building stood derelict.
Between 1992 and 1996 local people restored it, and it now serves as a heritage centre on Bridge Street overlooking the river and the marina. Its exhibitions cover local history, archaeology, flora and fauna, the Fenian Rising and Daniel O'Connell, who was born a few kilometres away at Carhan.
Visitors move through three floors of displays with artefacts, interactive exhibits and personal accounts, and can climb to the turrets for views over the town. The centre also runs a team escape room in the building, curriculum-linked school visits, and private group tours.
Highlights
- Three floors of exhibitions in a restored RIC barracks
- Displays on the Fenian Rising and Daniel O'Connell
- Panoramic views from the turrets
- "Escape from the Barracks" escape room
- Local archaeology, flora and fauna
Permanent exhibition
- The Old Barracks exhibition – Three floors of exhibitions, artefacts, interactive displays and personal accounts on local history, archaeology, flora and fauna, the Fenian Rising and Daniel O'Connell, ending at the turret views.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6.50Students and senior citizens (OAP) |
| Children & teens | €5Children under 12 |
| Seniors | €6.50 |
| Students & apprentices | €6.50 |
| Families | €21.202 adults and 3 children under 12 |
| Escape room – team of 2 | €31.80 |
| Escape room – team of 3 | €39.75 |
| Escape room – team of 4 | €42.40 |
| Escape room – team of 5 or 6 | €53 |
Exhibition prices; gift vouchers are available through the website.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | €21.20 · 2 adults and 3 children under 12 |
|---|
A family ticket is available, and the escape room and school visits are offered.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Parking is available at the centre.
At the end of Bridge Street in Cahersiveen, overlooking the river and the marina.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The Old Barracks tour covers three floors of exhibitions and the turrets; allow one to two hours. The centre offers private tours for groups, clubs and families, curriculum-linked school visits, and team activities for companies. |
