Post-war Years
After the war the Hurricanes were replaced with Spitfires in 1947, and in 1956 the Fighter Squadron was transferred to Baldonnel Aerodrome, whilst an Air Corps training faculty remained at the base.
Due to the escalation in civil strife in Northern Ireland in the summer of 1969, Gormanstown was designated as a refugee centre in August 1969. Large numbers of people mainly from Belfast moved Southwards to escape the violence and were housed in the refugee camp. By the end of October 1971 up to 12,000 persons had passed through the camp.
The airfield was closed officially from 2002 but it is still used extensively used for Air to Ground Firing and local army activities. Both runways at the airfield are unserviceable (originally three runways), however it is believed since Gormanstown tower and approach is still active, the tarmac runway of 810m X 10m is still in a good enough condition to be used in an emergency.
The airfield is often used by model aircraft flyers, although not officially open to the public or civilian activities. Today the AAIU (Air Accident Investigation Unit - Ireland) is based in the original Air Corps hangars on field - the RFC hangars no longer exist.
Read more about this topic: Gormanston Camp
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