[ Note added 2012. According to the Pat Purcell Papers the Officers and men of the 71st Regiment, Scottish Division, were responsible for establishing a Fire Brigade Service in Carlow. For many years the only Fire Brigade service for County Carlow was the Fire Brigade division stationed in the Carlow British Military Barracks, the soldiers responded many times to fires in the Carlow area. For many years the Officer in charge was the aptly named Captain Dashwood. In 1850 the 71st Regiment obtained permission to present their Fire equipment to the people of Carlow. ] The Carlow Sentinel. January 1850. FESTIVITIES IN CARLOW BARRACKS. The detachment of the 71st Regiment stationed in Carlow Barracks, ushered in the New Year amid much mirth and rejoicing, combined with substantial fare on Tuesday evening last. Each Barrack room was tastefully decorated with laurels and other evergreens. In one of the rooms were the portraits of the Duke of York, the Duke of Wellington, and Lord Hill. At 5 o'clock the men assembled in the several rooms and partook of dinner, which consisted of roast beef, plum pudding, with abundance of wines etc. About 9 o'clock dancing commenced to the music of the Scotch bagpipes, fiddle, etc., when Scotch reels and the Highland Fling were kept up with unabated ardour to a late hour, amid good feeling and harmony. The 8th Hussars very kindly undertook the duty of the garrison on that day, to enable the 71st to enjoy themselves.