The local barracks is seen as a possible location for the new national Army headquarters which is due to be established next year. Long-awaited Army HQ 'will be in place next year'A fresh timeline issued by the Department of Defence for setting up a national headquarters for the Irish Army has identified December 2027 as the date by which it's due to be in place. The Commission recommended that the Army, Air Corps and Naval service should each have their own service headquarters, and that a post of Army Sergeant Major should be created and located in the Army headquarters. "We need the Army headquarters to be in Athlone," said Cllr Keena. "In the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, a number of years ago, they (recommended) a Midland location for the Army headquarters.

Source: Irish Independent March 07, 2026 06:00 UTC