Shackleton Barracks

Shackleton Barracks is a former British military installation at Ballykelly in Northern Ireland.

Shackleton Barracks
Ballykelly
Shackleton Barracks
Location within Northern Ireland
Coordinates55°03′16″N 07°01′12″W
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1971
In use1971-2008
Garrison information
Occupants2nd Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

History

The site formerly known as RAF Ballykelly was handed over to the British Army as Shackleton Barracks on 2 June 1971.[1] Battalion HQ and HQ Company of the 5th Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment arrived there shortly after the barracks opened. During Operation Demetrius, between 1971 and 1972, the facilities operated as an interrogation centre where torture techniques were alleged to have been used.[2] The village of Ballykelly suffered badly in 1982 with the Droppin Well bombing which resulted in the loss of eighteen lives including both local civilians and soldiers from Shackleton Barracks. 5th Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment moved out in 1992.[1]

The camp became the HQ of 8th Infantry Brigade in October 2003 and the brigade remained there until it was disbanded and responsibility handed over to HQ 39th Infantry Brigade at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn on 1 September 2006. It was then home to an infantry battalion - 2nd Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.[1]

The British Army vacated Shackleton Barracks in March 2008[3] when 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment moved to Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich. Some 776 acres (3.14 km2) of land and 420 buildings were subsequently offered for sale.[4]

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References
  1. "Shackleton Barracks Ballykelly to Close". Sandes (26 June 2006). Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2008.
  2. McKay, Susan (25 July 2015). "The torture centre: Northern Ireland's 'hooded men'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  3. "Options for Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly, explored". BBC. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  4. "Former army houses go on sale". Derry Journal. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
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