German PoWs in Ireland 1914-1915

Templemore
Richmond Barracks in Templemore, Co Tipperary seems to have been used to hold about 2300 German (and possibly Austrian) prisoners of war from the early days of WW1 through to about March 1915. The prisoners were then moved to Lancashire, England on the pre-text that there were problems with the sanitation at the barracks. It subsequently appears that the authorities were concerned with attempts by local Irish Volunteers to make contact with the prisoners.

There isn't a lot of information about the PoWs time at Richmond.

The UK National Archives mentions that :
Berthold Hilscher, Adjutant in the Reserve Regiment 211, interned in Templemore, Ireland: notification of promotion to rank of lieutenant; transfer to officers' camp.

http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0116.pdf#page=5

http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/col_yr_bk_english.pdf

Oldcastle, Co Meath
Oldcastle appears to have been used as an internment centre for German and Austrian civilians though there is some mention of German soldiers being there. Again, information is hard to come by.

http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0161.pdf#page=12

http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0215.pdf#page=7

http://newsandsport.ie/leads/read/items/oldcastles-wartime-role-to-be-explored

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Oldcastle/

Mountjoy Prison
It would appear that a number of Germans were held in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin for some reason. Possibly to do with contact with Irish Volunteers (this is pure speculation on my part at this stage and needs further investigation) :

http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0942.pdf#page=2

2 German WW1 PoWs Died in Ireland

In graves 32 and 33 at the German Cemetery in Glencree, Co Wicklow are the graves of two German soldiers who died while prisoners of war at Richmond Barracks, Templemore, Co Tipperary.

Private M Anton Gierzewski died on the 20th November 1914. His cause of death was given as diabetes. (Grave 33 @ Glencree)

Private Ludwig Spellerberg of the 212th Infantry Regiment died on the 21st January 1915. His cause of death was given as food poisoning. (Grave 32 @ Glencree). His headstone can still be seen at the cemetery in Templemore.

Richmond Barracks housed about 2300 German and Austrian prisoners from the start of WW1 through to March 1915. While the decision to move them to England was given as sanitary arrangements it is believed that there were attempts being made by Irish Volunteers to contact the prisoners and to include them in plans for the Easter Rising.