The Barracks had been the scene of many conflicts

TCD MS 10853 folio 66 recto

TCD MS 10853 folio 66 recto

[1915]

floor was concrete and not soft we had a fair supply of straw for the first few days, at any rate we kicked it out after because it got too messy with trench mud. Heavy shell fire from our guns near by. Had a walk into town and bought a few extras for our tea. We found that our billet, the Cavalry Barracks had been the scene of many hand to hand conflicts with the Germans and the walls, stair cases and iron work were perforated and smashed with bullet holes. C and D Company were still in Barns and had not landed up here yet.
The rations we were getting were good especially the “macconicies” which are tinned meat and vegetables of a very good quality, and we could always slip out of the barracks and get rolls, coffee and eggs from the little shops