The term "Over the water" is used by locals to describe the area north and west of Cahersiveen that is accessed by crossing the bridge over the Fertha River. It boasts nice beaches, two ringforts and a castle (see our other cache 'Over the Water: Ballycarbery Castle', GC3JR3N).
The Old Barracks was constructed between 1870 and 1875 and served as the Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks. The building was burned by anti-treaty forces in 1922 and has been restored.
It seems quite out of place for Kerry and there is a story that the plans for it were mixed up with a barracks to be built in India. Is this true? Who knows! Whatever the case may be, it looks its best from the cache location at high tide.
Today it serves as a Heritage Centre for the Iveragh Peninsula. It is home to various exhibitions that relate to the local area, including The Great Southern and Western Railway, The Life and Times of Daniel O'Connell, The Fenian Rising of 1867, The 1916 Rising and Monsignor Hugh O' Flaherty (The Scarlet Pimpernel).