Ballykinlar Internment Camp

On the 31 January 1921 the first elected Cork Corporation were arrested, including Charles Coughlan.

The group were sent to Cork Prison, then to Spike Island and on to Ballykinlar.

What was Ballykinlar Internment Camp?

Ballykinlar Internment Camp, established in December 1920 in County Down, Northern Ireland, was one of the first large-scale internment sites in Ireland, built to detain those suspected of being associated with the Irish War of Independence. Primarily housing suspected Irish Republican Army (IRA) sympathizers and members, the camp’s population at times exceeded 2,000 men, held under harsh and often inhumane conditions. Prisoners were subjected to strict confinement, with poor-quality food, limited sanitation, and inadequate medical facilities, which contributed to the spread of diseases like tuberculosis and scabies. In response, detainees created their own internal structure, mirroring a “Prisoner of War” setup, with shared educational, cultural, and recreational activities to help them endure the adversity​.​

Conditions in Ballykinlar were intentionally difficult, as authorities aimed to demoralize the detainees. Despite this, prisoners organized classes, sports (including daily Gaelic football matches), and even theater, fostering camaraderie and resilience within their ranks. Though security was strict, some attempted escapes, with a few reaching as far as Drogheda before being captured again. The camp closed in 1921 following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and the detainees were released, though many were attacked by loyalist mobs on their return journey home​.​

Today, the legacy of Ballykinlar is preserved through projects such as the Ballykinlar History Hut at the Down County Museum, which displays memorabilia and recreations of the original camp huts, offering insight into the challenging lives of those interned there and fostering understanding of this period in Irish history

https://www.facebook.com/BallykinlarHistoryHut is an excellent resource!

Daily Life at Ballykinlar Internement Camp in 1921

There were two internment camps at Ballykinlar, Camp I and Camp II. The camps were separated from one other by a double barbed wire fence which encircled each camp. Communication between the two camps was banned.

This rule was overcome by the passing of notes tied to a stone and thrown over the fence from one camp to the other when it was clear to do so.

Each camp contained 1000 prisoners when full. There were 4 companies of 250 men in each camp, Camp I included companies A B C D and Camp II included companies E F G and H . Each company split into 10 huts of 25 men.

In addition to the huts where the men slept, there were central camp huts used as a chapel, dining hall, recreation, canteen, cook house, workshops etc. The toilets were latrines with buckets.

In early 1921 the companies drilled every day, a roll was called and there were lectures and training. This however was restricted after a few weeks passed. The military training continued in secret after this.

Time was spent in formal classes in subjects such as Irish, Maths and surveying as well as carving, macrame, art. Some of the educational classes offered certificates on completion.

Lectures and debates were frequent. Plays were held with costumes and scenery.

Cork’s Clle Micheal o Cuill also of Cork Corporation who had been arrested at the same time as Charles Coughlan was one of the hard working Irish teachers in the camp. Micheal was also a good friend of Terence MacSwiney and Tomas MacCurtain. He also attended in the guard of honor for Terence MacSwineys funeral in London.

Charles Coughlans Time in Ballykinlar Internment Camp

Alderman Charles Coughlan
Hut 8 – E Company – Camp 2 – Ballykinlar – Co.Down

Charles partook in, amongst other classes, a class in carving in Ballykinlar.

This harp with a swan and scroll with celtic symbols is what he carved from a left over cow bone.

Two similar examples are pictured below.

Personal Note : I was honoured by my amazing family for my 50th birthday and they had a reproduction of the harp carved by Charles made into a necklace by the wonderful jewellers in Cork, Sean Carrol & Sons

Release from Ballykinlar Internment Camp

Prisoners Released following signing of the Peace Treaty on 6 December 1921

I highly recommend the book by Liam O’Duibhir . This is the link to the book on Amazon. It gives an amazing account of Ballykinlar Camp.